The Separation of Church and State

II Kings 12.2

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 

There is a lot of confusion today over the issue of the Separation of Church and State. It was not that our founding fathers wanted the new nation to be free from the influence of the church, on the contrary. They just did not want to have a State Religion established. That is what they left England over.

Look where we are: The church and public schools used to share the same building,  now the public schools do not even let the church in.

The founding fathers would be appalled at where we are in this relationship today. It is so far from their intention! 

A little history lesson is in order:

Children's and Young People's Civic Groups have had Christian Influence

The YMCA

in 1844 Twenty-two-year-old George Williams, a farmer-turned-department store worker, was troubled by what he saw. He joined 11 friends to organize the first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets.

Boy Scout Oath (or Promise)

On my honor I will do my best 

To do my duty to God and my country 

and to obey the Scout Law; 

To help other people at all times;

To keep myself physically strong, 

mentally awake, and morally straight.

Girl Scouts Promise:

 On my honor, I will try:

To serve God and my country,

To help people at all times,

And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Little League Promise: 

I trust in God 

I love my country 

And will respect its laws 

I will play fair 

And strive to win 

But win or lose 

I will always do my best.

Young Jehoash was blessed to have Jehoiada as his counselor. This priest was the husband of the woman who saved his life. Jehoiada gave the child king God's Word and taught him how to obey it. The secret of success in any venture for God is to honor His Word (Joshua 1.8)

As long as Jehoiada was alive, serving as his counselor, Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The influence of this priest resulted in a reign which the LORD was acknowledged and obeyed.

The influence of the church in America has been huge, beyond imagination. It  has effected the nation in many ways.

1. The Moral Influence The Church Has on The Nation.

Righteousness

Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. 

The Ten Commandments:

Marital Law

Family Structure

Property Rights

Sanctity of Human Life

The work week (Sabbath)

By keeping these laws we have had a blessing on this nation like no other since Israel during David's reign. We have inherited the promise: Deuteronomy 6:2 so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. 

The moral guidelines the United States has had have come from the Word of God and it being lived out in the lives of God's people. The salt and light has been extremely noticeable.  

2. The Spiritual Influence The Church Has on The Nation.

We are instructed: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

In this present time of terror threats and national decline, the church ought to be first and foremost leading the way spiritually. Washington, DC and Albany do not have the true solutions for our problems. The answer is in the Word of God. Calling out to Him in repentance and looking to His Word for guidance.

We are in contact with heaven. Through our influence the nation ought to know there is a God in heaven.

I heard Jim Cymbala say, "We are trying to get prayer back in the schools when it is hardly in the church these days."

We should lead the way in prayer for our leaders. We should effect the government with our prayers.

3. The Ethical Influence The Church Has on the Government.

Why is the term "Coverup" so distasteful to Americans? What makes it so abhorrent? It is because we have been lied to, we have been deceived, the truth kept from us. What defines falsehood- the Bible!

What does the President place his hand upon when he is sworn in? The Bible

Oath of Office

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So Help me God.

We expect our leaders to be held to a high standard. Even unbelievers expect that. Where did this standard come from?  Why are we different from China? From Middle Eastern nations? Who wrote the rule of law we live under?

The church has set the ethical standard based on God's Word for our nation. 

Labor Day itself is an expression of human rights.

We pray for America this Labor Day Weekend. How it has changed in just a generation! How it has slid into such a place spiritually in the past 50 years.

But the need of the hour is for us as followers of Christ to pray for our nation, the world and that His kingdom would come. 

The haunting question of the hour in this land of the free and the brave, in this land of liberty and justice for all is this, the Word of Jesus: Luke 18:7-8 And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones, who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you, He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”