While the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has prompted many people to learn many things about it, we have also seen how certain American government officials who have contempt for God have not only made restrictions on human rights in the US, but also around the world. Churches in the US are being forced to decide between God and Government.
People may be surprised to know that God has ordained government to enforce laws and protect the people. If you study on it a mite, you'll realize that the "you can't legislate morality" canard is foolish, because most laws are based upon morality. When governments act according to their purposes, the church and the state get along fine. When the state rejects God wrongly exceeds and claims power, we have problems.
Prayer in schools is outlawed, Christians are told to shut up and stay out of government (apparently government is only for secularists now), teaching that evolutionism is a religion and its science is flawed is bad medicine for leftists, telling us that we cannot gather while condoning "protests", abortions, and other gathings — then Christians object to discrimination and resist those in power.
In the first of two posts, Jason Lisle explains how and why government exists, its purposes, limitations, and the ultimate authority to whome the church — the Bride of Christ — and the state are responsible.
In late July 2020, Grace Community Church in Sun Valley (a part of Los Angeles), CA, under the leadership of Dr. John MacArthur defied the dictates of leftist Governor Ralph Northam. At first, the church respected the urging of government officials to suspend public gatherings. The Wuhan Virus was new back then. However, as more facts became available and it was clear that government shutdowns were political machinations and continued to harm churches and citizens, Grace Community Church took a stand.
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Prayer in schools is outlawed, Christians are told to shut up and stay out of government (apparently government is only for secularists now), teaching that evolutionism is a religion and its science is flawed is bad medicine for leftists, telling us that we cannot gather while condoning "protests", abortions, and other gathings — then Christians object to discrimination and resist those in power.
In the first of two posts, Jason Lisle explains how and why government exists, its purposes, limitations, and the ultimate authority to whome the church — the Bride of Christ — and the state are responsible.
Many people have the impression that the Church is God’s institution and that the government is not. Consequently, the Church must abide by the Bible in all matters, but the government must stay away from religious matters. After all, isn’t there a separation of Church and state? In reality, both the Church and the state are God’s institutions and both are morally obligated to abide by biblical principles. When a government functions in the way God has specified, it is a blessing to all the people. But a government that will not follow biblical principles inevitably becomes a tyrannical “beast” that oppresses its own citizens.To finish reading, click on "God vs. Government". Be sure to come back for our second item.
In late July 2020, Grace Community Church in Sun Valley (a part of Los Angeles), CA, under the leadership of Dr. John MacArthur defied the dictates of leftist Governor Ralph Northam. At first, the church respected the urging of government officials to suspend public gatherings. The Wuhan Virus was new back then. However, as more facts became available and it was clear that government shutdowns were political machinations and continued to harm churches and citizens, Grace Community Church took a stand.
Christ is Lord of all. He is the one true head of the church (Ephesians 1:22; 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He is also King of kings—sovereign over every earthly authority (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:16). Grace Community Church has always stood immovably on those biblical principles. As His people, we are subject to His will and commands as revealed in Scripture. Therefore we cannot and will not acquiesce to a government-imposed moratorium on our weekly congregational worship or other regular corporate gatherings. Compliance would be disobedience to our Lord’s clear commands.You can read the rest of Dr. MacArthur's article (note that I found this extremely slow to load, but never that bad in the past), click on "A Biblical Case for the Church’s Duty to Remain Open". In addtion, you can watch or listen to his sermon, "We Must Obey God Rather Than Men". The video below has a discussion between Eric Metaxas and Dr. MacArthur. It covers this discussion and touches on a few others. You will hear, "We have to take a break", and "...in the second hour", but it has been trimmed to about 38 minutes.