Church and State

No separation 

and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. -  Abraham Lincoln

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭12‬

One of our favorite times together as the Joshua commission is when we go to the Gettysburg battlefield.  After that historic and pivotal battle Abraham Lincoln gave his famous address. He ended it with these words  “and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth”. Our country is so unique in the history of the world. Before our founding fathers, almost all of whom were Bible believing followers of Jesus, laid out our constitution, no state/country had ever existed like ours.

I don’t think Lincoln was right that our government will never perish from the earth. After all, we have a King who has promised to return and make all things new one day. Until he comes though, our position as a country is unique. Lincoln pointed out something profound in his final words at Gettysburg. America is governed by it's people. All of us as citizens of the United States are collectively the root of our government. We put our authorities in place through our vote, and we remove them the same way. We are the government.

More importantly though, as followers of Christ we are also the Church, the body of Christ here on earth made up of many members. What a crazy thought.  As believers we are both the Church and the State. As Kingdom men and US citizens that means, for us, there is no separation of church and state. 

Scriptures tell us to respect the authorities but also that no authority exists that wasn’t established by God. So don’t get the idea that we have any special authority on our own. We still answer to our Father and our King. He is still in full control. But take the responsibility He has given you seriously as you serve him and do your part to shoulder your responsibilities as a member of both His church and this country. You are a citizen of heaven for eternity but also a temporary resident of the U.S. where He chose to put you as a citizen.

Daily Battle Order:

“But seek the welfare of the city (the state) where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29‬:‭7‬