The State

The state is a major cross for Christains to bear out of many others. In I Peter 2;13-25 The disicple Peter puts down the rules of one's interaction with the State. To summarize: One is to submit themselves to every ordinance of man which is the State. The purpose of the state I Peter 2; 14 is to punish evil doers. I always wonder, Why where Christains killed in the coliseum of Rome? To submit to the will of the State does not mean the State is right. We suffer because the State is wrong and we must abide by the wishes of the State.

I submit to the will of the state and do not protest its decison but when the state goes against God is a Christains supposed to still submit to the will of the State. No! this is when we die. To me, the measure of God's Law is the Ten Commandments. "To do onto others as you want done to yourself." "Love God and your neighbor." Due to our love for humanity we are to suffer in silence and live by example. The example we set is to demonstrate the will of God in good and bad times. Hopefully, we do not lose our faith. The light of God within ourself is to be beacon for the darkness inside Humanity. This darkness is ignorance to the will of God.

One of the most puzzling statements Jesus has said: "Show me a penny. Whose image and superscription has it?" They answered and said Cae'sar's. And he said unto them, "Render therefore to Cae'sar the things which are Cae'sar, and to God the things which be God's."

Ohva, has this opened a kettle of fish. I think this means do not use God to avoid paying taxes, but you should not jeopardize your soul to appease the state. Why Christain and businessmen are considered on the same side in the United States I have no idea. When you come into conflict with God and the State; God is the rule to follow and a Christains will suffer for it.

Material gain is not the virtues of the kingdom of God. For at anytime if one wants your material gains you give them to them. Luke 6; 27-30: But i say to you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And to him that smite you on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that takes away your cloak forbid not to take your coat also."

I have heard arguments that state just take a slap on the face and if the beating continues you have the right to fight. I think this is wrong, since Christ died on the cross and the martyrdom of so many Christains that they did not for sake God to appease the State and death from the state was their reward but the kingdom of God is the reward for those that died.

I see the state the state as a beast that violates every commandment; if you think of the state as an artificial entity that is similar to man. In philosopy this could be considered a logical phallacy because one is comparing the individual to the whole.

In the United States we have the concept of limited government. The major purpose of this government was to protect property rights. The more an individual covets the more wealth they generate. This wealth generated is taxed by the state because the state allows one to generate wealth. There is no material gains from the belief of Christ message but spiritual treasures.

However, many Christains tend to end up gaining wealth: Who knows what a Christain would do with the gains. I believe ill gotten wealth given to charity does not make a wrong a right. [indulgences really pissed off Martin Luther,lol] The primary charity for a Christain is not giving wealth but offering forgiveness to our fellow human. This is another burden we suffer: to have the ability to forgive a wrong. We would rather put money in a plate.

I find the religous right devotion to the right for life and a desire for the death penalty is not compatible. So many burdens have arisen in an attempt to please God and the State. Oh well, there are instances in history when Christain have gotten tired of the ways of the world and took a stand and many that have done nothing to help the plight of there fellow man. The interpretation of the scripture by the individual guides there choice.

I submit to the will of the State, but I think the State is Evil and is not neccessary. When it comes to property the state is needed. Hhen it comes to the soul the Word of God is needed. Wealth is brief but salvation is eternal. States have come and gone but the Word of God remains.

Peace.

I am still working out trains of complex thoughts so my words tend to be obtuse, and this is extemporaneos writing. "off the cuff"