What kind of government do we have in America today? Is it resting on Christ's shoulder? by Lou Poumakis
(libertarian)
Sunday, December 21, 2008
It is good at Christmastime to think about the one whose name and life is recognized therein each year. He has made quite an impact on the world, more than anyone else that ever lived. About a third of the world’s population takes his name upon themselves; they, when asked what their religion is, say they are Christian. How could one man have so much influence and make so great an impact? Whether you are a Christian or not, you cannot help but see that there must have been something unique about this person. If you are a true Christian (one that has been born of the Spirit), you know that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
That he is Child, Son, Wonderful, Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, I’m sure you are fully aware. But what about this "government upon his shoulder" thing? How does that fit in? The extent to which government is upon Christ’s shoulders seems to be diminishing day by day, year by year and century by century. Europe, once known as "Christendom" (the domain of Christ’s rule), is now more Moslem than Christian. Hardly any of the native Europeans go to church anymore and most would say (or demonstrate by their lives) that they don’t even believe in God any longer.
The situation in America is better in that a significant segment of the population holds to the faith, at least to the extent to which they understand it. But that this understanding is lacking something is also evident when we consider how the faith has been virtually eliminated from public life in this country. No Bibles or Ten Commandment postings in the public schools, increasing immorality in the entertainment media, wholesale abortion on demand legalized and so on and on. The government that once to a great extent rested upon Christ’s shoulder appears now to be much more in Satan’s hands. But, you ask, how is all this related to an insufficient understanding of the faith by Christians? How can you be so critical of the very people that have been fighting against these changes for years?
The answer is that, while most Christians are appalled and disgusted with these things, they have surrendered to the opposition before any of the battles took place. They, having lost sight of the fact that the government must be on Christ’s shoulder, have capitulated and allowed the idea of a religiously pluralistic society to take root and become established in America. Because they mistakenly felt they should allow the will of the majority (be they of whatever religion, even atheist) to prevail, they didn’t really gather together and form an effective resistance against this shift from Christian to Humanistic government. How could they resist when their church leaders wrongly taught them that it was their place to give ground and allow evil to triumph? It is really sad that so many of God’s true people have allowed themselves to be so deceived and misled by false leaders. They have the desire to obey God but lack the Biblical knowledge and understanding to question and challenge the false theology they have been spoon-fed by their pastors and teachers. Indeed, many of these are also well meaning, Christ-loving men who themselves have been misled and wrongly taught by others.
Yes the problem is generations old and bad theology is rampant and entrenched within the churches. Nevertheless, God is still in control and we can be sure that this sad situation will eventually be reversed. You, fellow Christian, if you see that this problem is real, can be a part of the correction process or you can sit on the sidelines and watch others do it. Either way it will be done. God’s plans are never frustrated and His will always prevails. If you would like to be one of God’s workers in this endeavor, you need to go to the Scriptures and see what they have to say about the Christian’s responsibility with respect to government. I recommend the following website as a good source of helpful information:
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