Sadly it seems Christians in general have not done much study of the proper categories of government and how they are to function. I say this to my own personal shame as I have been lax in this area also, and only in recent years have I endeavored to study it more thoroughly. I encourage the saints to make this study part of their life, especially if this issue has opened time for your stam currently going through "God and Government" by DeMar. A very good resource.
The current "pandemic" has caused no little stir worldwide. I daresay far more emotional stir leading to other areas being "stirred up" far more than necessary.
In a time where loss of health, loss of job, loss of life, loss of home, etc. are all immediate and possible soon comingnrealities for many, personal Christian love and compassion for those affected is nothing less than our carrying out of the two great commandents to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves.
In short our love must carry with it law and gospel faithfulness. Our good works flowing from that gospel fountain of life. These are actions to be governed by personal, family, and even local and wider church government.
Pur personal governance will most effect how we view and engage with civil government. As ultimately every person must answer to God for their actions.
Those in ecclesiastical leadership positions hold even a higher burden and should be in prayer and receiving the benefit of our prayers as they try to help govern the local churches and ministries.
Also, Paul made clear our prayers should be made for those in civil government positions at all levels as well. For the handling of their daily affairs and more intense times of crisis, such as we are seeing today, all for God's glory and the good of the governed.
That being the case, we need to be all the more in prayer for everyone in this time.
That said, the prayers should lead to godly speech and admonition from individuals, pulpits, and platforms of all sizes where Christians with wisdom from God speak for His glory and peoples good into all realms of governance.
Case in point. The handling of this situation by our civil leaders at all levels is multifaceted and complex. As that is the case, wide ranging civil governmental policy needs a more studied and reasonable approach. Not broad brush policy enactments we've seen by and large so far.
In many cases sadly, proposed possibilities regarding the virus have been hyped to near feverish importance. All the while seeming abandonment of actual clear cut simple math and logic has led and is leading to varying levels of personal, and corporate devastation in all realms of life.
As a biblical example. Even in a Levitical style govt. under the plague/leprosy, once it was discovered it brought quarantine and even eventually if uncured, whole homes could be destroyed. Or people cast out of community.
However, there was no mass quarantine for potential plague/leprosy, etc. Common sense health practices were codified into Mosaic law. Encouraging cleanliness and wisdom is always prudent. Teaching wise and necessary cleanliness is also in line with that today and is essential in personal governance.
However, while I am not an advocate for never placing legal restrictions on potentially dangerous behavior, I do advocate for stronger reasoning than what has been witnessed regarding the current "pandemic", to justify the civil government's clear over reach.
All that said, if God is seeing fit to bring this nation and others down due to their idolatry to amongst other things, money and civil government, this situation would be a great way to do it.
Let the civil govt. wreck economies and bankrupt people and business over something that never had the power to do what allegiance to idolatrous sources of worship does.
I'm praying God will be merciful and gracious in these times. I'm also praying that grace will extend to Christian leaders and individuals choosing biblical wisdom over worldly wisdom in each of their realms of influence, be they small or great.
Choosing that path leads to godly, prayerful, study, contemplation, and finally and in tandem with those other things, action. May God give such grace for His people. Soli Deo Gloria!
The current "pandemic" has caused no little stir worldwide. I daresay far more emotional stir leading to other areas being "stirred up" far more than necessary.
In a time where loss of health, loss of job, loss of life, loss of home, etc. are all immediate and possible soon comingnrealities for many, personal Christian love and compassion for those affected is nothing less than our carrying out of the two great commandents to love God supremely and our neighbors as ourselves.
In short our love must carry with it law and gospel faithfulness. Our good works flowing from that gospel fountain of life. These are actions to be governed by personal, family, and even local and wider church government.
Pur personal governance will most effect how we view and engage with civil government. As ultimately every person must answer to God for their actions.
Those in ecclesiastical leadership positions hold even a higher burden and should be in prayer and receiving the benefit of our prayers as they try to help govern the local churches and ministries.
Also, Paul made clear our prayers should be made for those in civil government positions at all levels as well. For the handling of their daily affairs and more intense times of crisis, such as we are seeing today, all for God's glory and the good of the governed.
That being the case, we need to be all the more in prayer for everyone in this time.
That said, the prayers should lead to godly speech and admonition from individuals, pulpits, and platforms of all sizes where Christians with wisdom from God speak for His glory and peoples good into all realms of governance.
Case in point. The handling of this situation by our civil leaders at all levels is multifaceted and complex. As that is the case, wide ranging civil governmental policy needs a more studied and reasonable approach. Not broad brush policy enactments we've seen by and large so far.
In many cases sadly, proposed possibilities regarding the virus have been hyped to near feverish importance. All the while seeming abandonment of actual clear cut simple math and logic has led and is leading to varying levels of personal, and corporate devastation in all realms of life.
As a biblical example. Even in a Levitical style govt. under the plague/leprosy, once it was discovered it brought quarantine and even eventually if uncured, whole homes could be destroyed. Or people cast out of community.
However, there was no mass quarantine for potential plague/leprosy, etc. Common sense health practices were codified into Mosaic law. Encouraging cleanliness and wisdom is always prudent. Teaching wise and necessary cleanliness is also in line with that today and is essential in personal governance.
However, while I am not an advocate for never placing legal restrictions on potentially dangerous behavior, I do advocate for stronger reasoning than what has been witnessed regarding the current "pandemic", to justify the civil government's clear over reach.
All that said, if God is seeing fit to bring this nation and others down due to their idolatry to amongst other things, money and civil government, this situation would be a great way to do it.
Let the civil govt. wreck economies and bankrupt people and business over something that never had the power to do what allegiance to idolatrous sources of worship does.
I'm praying God will be merciful and gracious in these times. I'm also praying that grace will extend to Christian leaders and individuals choosing biblical wisdom over worldly wisdom in each of their realms of influence, be they small or great.
Choosing that path leads to godly, prayerful, study, contemplation, and finally and in tandem with those other things, action. May God give such grace for His people. Soli Deo Gloria!
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