Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Government Control or Liberty of Conscience?



 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Rom. 13:1

There have been reports that our government has been training pastors and other religious representatives to act as secret police enforcers by using Romans 13 teach their congregations to "obey the government" in preparation for the implementation of martial law, property and firearms seizures, and forced relocation programs. It was stressed that pastors needed to preach subservience to the authorities and make it clear to the congregations that "this is for their own good." This report came out in 2007 and created major concerns among local congregations.  I find it interesting that of all the scriptures, Romans chapter 13 is the only chapter that appeals to government leaders.  The use of the ministry, by a corrupt government to control the churches is evil.

We may not be living in a total police state, but it is fast approaching.  The questions being asked about the use of drones over the cities of American and killing of Americans with drones has been raised by a member of Congress. All the while the government is on track to put thousands of drones in the air.  In addition to drones flying over us we may soon have bullets flying around us.   The Social Security Administration has purchased thousands of rounds of hollow point bullets, which are not used for target practice.  So I ask, what is happening in America?  Multiple agencies of the federal government are stockpiling ammunition in preparation for the possibility of civil rest during a national emergency, such as a natural disaster, a terrorist attack, or a complete economic collapse.  The seeds of tyranny have taken root and there are now visible signs of diminished freedom as our government prepares to remove our basic freedoms and liberty.  

Our love for liberty and freedom is almost gone.  We have allowed the government to intrude into our lives, our homes and our churches.  We have lost the national character of being an individual.  We have empowered the federal government and its agents to run every aspect of our lives and have come to depend upon the crumbs of entitlements.  As a Quaker minister I refuse to be silent about what is taking place in my country.

First, it is God that has the power and dominion over the conscience of man making it unlawful for any authority or government to force the conscience of others.  This is a freedom that is granted by the LORD and not by the government. It is morally wrong for a government to banish, fine, imprison, or kill an individual for the exercise of their conscience in how they worship, state their opinion or live their lives. It is a violation of man's God given liberty of conscience when under the pretense of security and government authority a person's conscience is disregarded.

When the government forces one to violate his conscience, he is being forced to commit sin; because what a man does contrary to his faith is no way acceptable to God.   So now the question is does the government have the power to force men in things religious to do contrary to their conscience? The answer is NO!  Let me put it this way.  No one, by virtue of any power or government authority has the power over the conscience of men.  So when the government officials assumes they have the power to meddle in the things religious which are not within their jurisdiction they are violating the liberty of conscience which is granted by God and not by the government.  It is unjust to constrain and force men against their wills to serve the desires of the government against the will of God.  

Under the present administration one of the most basic freedoms enjoyed by American and protected by the 1st Amendment of the Constitution—the freedom of religion and conscience has been under attack for the last four years.  When the present administration oversteps the bounds of not only the Constitution but the God given right of liberty of conscience America is walking through the door of tyranny and when the ministers of the Gospel unite with an evil government they are no longer messengers of hope but hirelings of the devil.

The great problem in America is our lack of knowledge concerning God.  This is the same problem Israel had during the time of Hosea.  The LORD told Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hath forgotten the law of they God, I will also forget they children." Hosea 6:6   What was happening during the time of Hosea that mirrors our day?  "Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is not truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.  By swearing, and lying and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood" Hosea 4:1-2

America is headed for destruction if we continue to wander in spiritual darkness and ignorance.  The integrity of our government officials is gone, the integrity of many of our ministers within the church is gone and the majority of the people in this country are indifferent to the moral decline and the loss of freedom and liberty taking place today. The evil manipulators within our government and churches have abdicated all moral responsibility for greed and lust of power.  We The People have become slaves to those elected to serve.  We The People continue to believe our elected leaders are honest even when they have been caught lying, cheating, and swindling those who elected them to office.  Is it because America has lost her courage to change the course of this nation or do we enjoy the benefits of a corrupt government?   Someone said it is time we get off our blessed assurance and do something for God!  Do something to save our nation, to save our liberty of conscience, and the right to worship God as we choose.

No comments:

Post a Comment