Church and the state

There is an interesting line between the Church and the state.

While young and in faith, there is still a lot I don't know about this subject.

Yet with this subject comes so many different thoughts from many different people.

This is a really conflicting issue for so many people.

I am not going to try to give my opinion on this subject as much as possible.

I am going to share some things I have heard about the Church and government.

Then give a story of Christ and the government of his time.

Make your own conclusions.

Here are different statements I have heard.

I will say this again, I have heard (not my opinion) about the Church and the government…

• No good Christian should serve in the military.
  
• A good Christian would never vote for a possible government official that was pro-choice.
  
• There should be no country flags or state flags in the front of a worship setting to God. We worship God not the division of countries.
  
• Jesus could care less about what country we live in.
  
• The kingdom of God is bigger the then United States.
  
• Celebrating Veterans Day and Memorial Day in a worship service to God doesn't make sense and shouldn't be done.
  
• This country would be a lot better place if more Christian people were involved in the government.
  
• Serving in the military helps get rid of the ungodly people of this world.
  
• No Christian should ever vote Democrat.
  
• Serving in the military is justifying murder and God is not okay with that.
  
• Christians shouldn't have to pay taxes to a government that supports abortion/murdering babies.
  
• Christians shouldn't have to pay taxes because our alliance is with God.
  

This is just to tip of the iceberg with this subject.

What are some you have heard or seen?

Either way this can be a really sticky situation.

I have friends, family and other loved ones that I think and pray about that are in the military.

This is a tough subject and is not easy to handle.

There are so many differing opinions and even Jesus had to answer questions about faith and the government.

In Mark 12, there is a section called, "Paying Taxes to Caesar."

The religious leaders after thinking of how they could kill Jesus (Right after Jesus tells them they will be punished severely for what they do to him) want to stump him.

They send people to ask him, "Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we?"

Jesus knew their hearts and their desire to trap them and this was how he responded in the end of verse 15-17…

"Bring me a denarius and let me look at it." They brought the coin, and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?"

"Caesar's," they replied.

Then Jesus said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."

And they were amazed at him."

Interesting.

Give to the government what is the government's and give to God what is God's.

Some Jews at the time didn't believe in paying taxes because that is admitting the Romans are over us instead of God.

It was a struggle to give taxes.

Jesus gives an interesting response that amazes the people.

I once had a spiritual leader tell me this was the first sign of separation of Church and State.

Jesus was the first person to show there had to be a separation of Church and State they told me.

I am still trying to wrap my head around this subject and don't know how exactly I feel about it.

What do you think?

Have a great Friday and weekend.