I Could Spoil You

1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

The Apostle Paul is saying we no longer belong to ourselves, we have been bought and paid for. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We should use them to glorify God.

We as believers belong to Christ totally and completely. This is a one time thing, it happened the moment you acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We have got to recognize this fact in order to begin walking in the light of this new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

We must begin to become spiritually conscious of this accomplished fact. You are His, you don’t have to fight to get it, you don’t have to pray to get it, you don’t have to work to get it. I realize this goes against religion, but we have got to start looking at what God’s Word has to say.

The Apostle Paul said in Ro. 10: 8-11. But what does it say? “The word is near you, even in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

It is the confession of this acknowledged fact of the lordship of Jesus Christ that brings you from death into life. You are confessing and acknowledging His lordship and turning from Satan’s lordship. We often struggle to get something that has been given to us freely. Many people fast and pray to get something that has already been freely given to them. I want you to please understand what I am saying, I am not in any way trying to diminish the importance of prayer or fasting. I am trying to make the point that our redemption has already happened. It is in the past tense. We have been bought, this will not happen sometime in the future, it has already happened.

This legal act has already taken place, we can not be bought again and again. Jesus doesn’t have to redeem us over and over. When we do as Ro.10 says, we take on the life and nature of God. Believers often fail because of a clear understanding of who and what they are in Christ Jesus. This is not religion but relationship. This is not legalism, it is life. This is ours legally as children of God but we must come to a place where we know who and what we are in reality, in order to walk in the light of it. This is an ongoing process that never ends. Revelation knowledge builds upon itself just as natural knowledge does. You can’t understand complex mathematics if you have not first learned the basics can you. The same is true in spiritual things. Revelation knowledge builds upon itself. The more you know, the more you can walk in the light of your redemption. What is legally ours must be comprehended and acted on in order to see the reality of this redemption manifest in our lives. As we begin to walk in this reality we begin to be transformed by the power of God.

Ephesians 3:19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

The more we know the more we can walk in the fullness of God, and He has given us the power to do this very thing. As Paul said according to the power that works within us.

Praise God He redeemed us and did not leave us alone to fend for ourselves. He sent the Holy Spirit to empower us and guide us, and to show us the way to victory every time.

Many Christians never stop to realize how valuable they are to God, or stop and consider how much they cost. We were bought with the greatest price that could be paid, the death of God’s son Jesus Christ. There was no higher price that could be paid for us, His life for ours. Many Christians think they are not worthy to partake of the blessings of the Father, but they don’t understand that they have been made worthy by the blood of the spotless lamb of God. The blessings of God didn’t come free, you were bought with a price.

Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46. “who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

We are that pearl. Religion teaches us we have to go out and sell all that we have to get this great redemption, but it is the other way around, God gave His best to get us.
Isaiah 52:3 For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”

What is the worth of one life. All the money in the world could not have paid the price for one soul. We are very valuable to God. Let’s start acting like it.

Have you ever stopped to consider that you can not give or surrender anything to God that He already owns. You belong to Him. He owns you lock stock and barrel? You can not give Him something that is not yours to give? You are His, He purchased you legally from Satan. You can not give yourself to Him, He already owns you. You have been bought with a price. You are His by right of creation, and you are His by right of redemption.

Can the clay say to the potter what it wants to become? No it can not, and neither can we. It doesn’t have that choice. We were created by Him out of the clay of this Earth. The only thing we can really give Him is our will. He wants our obedience.

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;

We were created unto good works before the foundation of the world. God had us in mind before the world was ever created. He wants us to accomplish certain things while we are here on this Earth, He wants to bless us abundantly, so that we can be a blessing to others. You can not be a blessing to others if you first haven’t learned to walk in the blessings of God yourself.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God has a plan and a purpose for your life. You are not here by accident, or to just take up time and space on this world. You were divinely appointed before this world was formed to accomplish certain things. Maybe you have fallen short, and don’t know what your purpose really is. It’s never too late to find out. I encourage you to pick up the Word of God and start to learn of Him. Spend time with Him in fellowship and listen to the voice of your spirit. He will reveal Himself to you and show you the things you need to know.
He’s given us all gifts and talents that we need to learn to walk in to fulfill our purpose here. Our purpose is to fulfill His purpose. We can never be truly happy until we do.

Matthew 11:29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

I encourage you to find your purpose in God and hook up with Jesus and accomplish the things God has for you, if you haven’t already begun to do so. You are not alone in trying to fulfill God’s plan for your life. He’s with you all the way, but He wants you to do it with and through Him.

Psalms 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it;

You may try to do it alone and even get the house built but you will not have accomplished God’s will or purpose for your life. There have been many great houses built without God, and when it was all said and done, it was all vanity. What a waste. Let’s get direction and by the power of the Holy Spirit accomplish what God has for us.

I would like to close with this…

1 Peter 1:17-19 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your sojourning here in fear;
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

If you desire to know for sure that you are a child of God, then I would like to invite you to earnestly pray this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, “…and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (Jn.6:37), So I know You won’t cast me out, but You take me in, And I thank you for it. You said in your Word, “whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Ro. 10:13).
I am calling on Your name, So I know You have saved me now, You also said, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Ro.10:9,10).
I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, “… with the heart one believes to righteousness…” and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21),
And I am saved! Thank You, Lord!
I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God!

Glory to God!!!! Amen.

I was raised Catholic and was born again at the age of 17. I received God’s call into ministry at the age of 19 and began to prepare for ministry. I graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center in 1979. The Lord has called me to teach. My desire is to help others come to a deeper understanding of the truth and I have started a web site for this purpose called The Olive Branch; Please visit us for more free studies and resources to help you on your journey.
Mark Baker
http://www.olivebranchministries.us

Grace.
What is Grace?

(1.) Of form or person.

(2.) Favor, kindness, friendship.

(3.) God’s forgiving mercy.

(4.) The gospel as distinguished from the law.

(5.) Gifts freely bestowed by God; as miracles, prophecy, tongues.

(6.) Christian virtues.
(7.) The glory hereafter to be revealed.

For the Believer in Christ, Grace is the most important substance he can posses. Why? For by Grace thru Faith are ye saved. Grace is the first gift that God delivers to the new convert to Christianity. With out grace we would all be lost. We all as Christians have problems in this life some more than others. Some Christians will go thru this life with no hindrances, sicknesses, illnesses, nor persecutions, Why? For each have been given a measure of Faith, some have High Faith some have medium faith and others have Low Faith. The more you receive the more is expected of you in return. In contrast, the less you receive the less is expected. Let put it in these words. A Person of low Faith [The Weak Christian] will be protected by God for his lack of understanding and strength and the ones that have the higher Faith, these are mostly, but not entirely, the ministers of the Word of God are allowed to be tested on their Faith.
The Apostle Paul stated; Act 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Of “the grace of God”, Favor, kindness, friendship, forgiveness, & mercy. “But none of these things move me.” Fire, Flood, Earthquake, Hunger, all these things test the weak and the strong in Christ, persecutions are the most felt hardship in the world today. By the Grace of God is sufficient for all of us to Stand. I see four distinct periods of time for the Christian and the Church and four distinct periods for the Church, according to Grace and Faith.

1. The beginning Church after Jesus returned to the Father, the time of the Apostles and Deciples. At this period of time there was great persecution of the Church by the Jews and Romans.

2. A development time for the growing Church, where little is known, the separation of the Catholic Church and the Prodistent Church. A breaking away from all hindrances to seek out the truth in the Word of God by all men and not Just a Few,

3.The Peaceful Church, these are the times that we have lived in, where grace abounded and revival came to men. Where you could see Baptisms every where, people being saved and Faith flourished.

4. The end time Church. This is the time we live in now. Persecution, Deception, Controversy, Lies, False Religions, False Christ, False Prophecy and the devision of the Churches. Every body wants a different name and doctrine. This was not in the instructions from Jesus. “Be Ye One!”
Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: “Being justified freely by his grace!” Justified; In theology it means, remission of sin and absolution from guilt and punishment; or an act of free grace by which God pardons the sinner and accepts him as righteous, on account of the atonement of Christ. Romans, 3:24, Would be enough for many, but not to all. God justified us unto Salvation thru the sacrifice of His Son, in whom we believe, for many around the world, just being saved is not enough. We strive to give, to all, the grace that God had showed to us, to the salvation to them. What am I saying? Many a Christian are being persecuted and tested each and every day. So we endure hardships galore, to the testimony of the Grace that God gives to each and everyone that will believe. 1Peter 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.” [Note;The word, “Christian” is only mentioned twice in scripture.]

Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. “we have access by faith” This is access to Grace or the, Favor, kindness, friendship of God that will sustain us in all perils that we endure. Grace is a substance, just as Faith is, that we possess. 1Co 10:30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
Paul was stating,”Why am I called evil when I have the friendship, kindness and Favor of God?” “When Gods Grace means all these things to the believer?” The answer again is in scripture. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:10-12, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” The grace that you have or will receive from God, does not mean that you will never suffer as a Christian, it only means that He will sustain you thru these troubling times. You may not have all that you want, but His grace, or Favor, will give you all you NEED.

Be content with having no shoes, for there are those with no feet, be content with no home, for there are those with no hope, be content with a piece of bread for there are those who have no food, be content with your clothes for there are those that are naked, be content with your sight for there are those that have no eyes, see what I mean by Grace? I am what I am by the Grace of God. Remember what I had said earlier? “The more you receive the more is expected of you in return. In contrast, the less you receive the less is expected. Let put it in these words. A Person of low Faith [The Weak Christian] will be protected by God for his lack of understanding and strength and the ones that have the higher Faith, these are mostly, but not entirely, the ministers of the Word of God are allowed to be tested on their Faith.”

Paul put it this way in 1Co 15:10; “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” We must be content with who we are and the situation that we are placed in, for the Grace of God will sustain us. Not putting your trust in man but in Gods Grace.

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

“I have a hard time with the concept of God. I was not brought up in a religious family. I believe there is something beyond myself, but I just don’t know how to think of it or experience it.”

“I was brought up in family where God was portrayed as judgmental and punishing. I can’t even hear the word ‘God’ without feeling anxious. How am I supposed to open to God when I believe that God is controlling?”

“How can I believe in God when there are so many bad things that happen to people? If there really is a God, then why does He let these things happen?”

“God as a man just does not work for me. The men in my life have been mostly angry and controlling. I don’t feel safe opening to a male god.”

These are a few of the many comments I hear from my clients as I work with helping them open to a personal source of spiritual guidance.

The New Testament is very clear regarding what God is:

John 4:24
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

1 John 4:8
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

1 John 4:16
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

John tells us that “God is Spirit” and “God is love.” He tells us that when we are being loving, we are within God and God is within us.

My personal experience is that God is love, peace, joy, and truth, and that God is everywhere, both within us and all around us. When our hearts are open to love, compassion and kindness toward ourselves and others, we experience the fullness of God within us and the safety of being within God.

My experience is that God is always here guiding us toward our highest good. One of the ways I help my clients to access the wisdom that God has for us each and every moment is to imagine a spiritual being that is here just for you. This can be a Teacher, a mentor, a guardian angel, a beloved relative who has passed away, or the highest, wisest part of yourself - your own higher self. By opening to learning with a wise and loving being who wants nothing more than to guide you toward your joy and the full manifestation of yourself, you open to being guided by the love and wisdom of God.

This guidance is your birthright. We were not dumped alone on the planet to fend for ourselves. Yet you will not have an experience of this love and guidance until you open to learning from God. My clients who practice opening to learning with a spiritual source of love and wisdom discover for themselves the truth of God. They are no longer caught in beliefs that do not served them - that God is judgmental, controlling and punishing; that God does not exist; that God will never be there for them personally; that they have to earn God’s love; that God can stop people from harming each other.

You will know God when you open your heart to learning about loving actions toward yourself and others. When your primary intention is to learn about how to love yourself and others, rather than to keep on trying to get love or avoid pain, you will have a personal experience of God.

If the term “God” is a negative trigger for you, then change it to Spirit, or Higher Power, or whatever works for you. God is not a being who cares about a name. God is the ever-present experience of love, compassion, truth, peace and joy that is always available for you whenever you choose to open your heart.

Margaret Paul, Ph.D. best-selling author of eight books, and co-creator of the powerful Inner Bonding healing process. Visit her web site for a FREE Inner Bonding course: www.innerbonding.com or email her at mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com

Please feel free to use this article as long as credit is given
to the resource box. Keywords: Faith, God, Miracle, Patch of
Faith Copyright: Arthur Levine 2006 Words: 425

Help Create A Miracle

God can create miracles that let mere humans like you
participate? That’s right, you can be part of a miracle. Through
faith in God you can help make God’s miracles redound to your
benefit. You can participate in the miracle of faith.

Sometimes it is hard to have faith in what you cannot see or
understand, especially when natural disasters are happening all
around you.. That is why it helps to have a symbol of your
faith. It can be anything from an imaginary friend to an object
like a patch. Sometimes it takes something physical to remind
you of your faith in God. Whatever your symbol of faith is, you
need to strip away your inhibitions and use your imagination to
find it.

You have to use your imagination to determine what your symbol
of faith should be. It must be something that reminds you of
your faith in God. Often religious articles are a way to go. But
for some people these things don’t accurately depict how and why
you believe in God. For some people something more is needed to
help them find their faith.

Learn how to deal with disasters and cope with your personal
problems through faith. Learn how to listen for the words of the
Lord by stripping away your inhibitions and using your
imagination. Learn how to communicate with God. Have faith that
He will hear your prayers.

Stop patching yourself together with temporary chemical
patches. Use the only patch you will ever need - a patch of
faith - the symbol of your newfound faith. Interact with the
words of God. He may be waiting to hear from you. God may be
waiting to offer you his blessings. Wouldn’t you consider that a
miracle?

Become a Person of Faith and experience a miracle first hand.
You will begin to feel secure. You will be able to cope with
your problems. You will begin to experience the joy of being a
Person of Faith.

Don’t blame God for your lack of faith. Don’t blame God for
disasters. Create your own personal faith patch, and learn how
to help God create the miracles that are helping you to become a
Person of Faith, so that you can find peace of mind.

Hurry, God may be waiting for you to help Him create the
miracle of your faith.

*******

Part Three continued

It is important to recover and relearn the “original intent” of the founding fathers. Study in this area is valuable. Nothing said in this article should be interpreted as ridiculing constitutionalists who are engaging in serious historical research. Battles should happen on many different fronts. The results of serious research should be presented at all levels of our democratic process, especially to our elected representatives. This goes back to my idea of picking our battles. Where can we be most effective? Adopting strategies that will bankrupt the system have not been carefully thought out. This is actually seen as a possible strategy by some tax protestors. It is not in anyone’s interest to help precipitate a financial collapse. The resulting ugly, bloody anarchy would more than likely lead to a severe police and military crackdown. It should not be forgotten that “totalitarianism is built upon the ashes of anarchy.” The freedoms we enjoy today could very well be lost. An oppressive government may be better than complete anarchy. The founding fathers of our nation had taxation without representation. Today we have taxation with representation. Let’s change our representatives.

Our current representatives tolerate and perpetuate the present system. It has been said, “politics is dirty.” This is true, however, it is no excuse for apathy and lack of involvement. Elected officials must be educated and confronted with constitutional facts. If they do not respond favorably to valid constitutional arguments, then they must be voted out. New political parties may be needed. Christians should run for public office and advance the cause of freedom. The Christian’s cultural involvement will open many significant opportunities for proclaiming the gospel and restoring our lost freedoms.

When tax protestors leave the system and encourage others to do so, they are starting little brush fires or crises for the government. This plays right into the hands of the socialists who use the occasion to call for more monies to be appropriated to the IRS to fight subversion of the system. This phenomenon has been appropriately labeled “government by crisis.” The federal government loves crises. This allows them to justify an ever-greater intrusion into our lives in the name of preserving the system. This trend is well documented. Those in power will not relinquish it without a fight.

Contrary to what some tax protestors are saying, very few people have successfully escaped the tax system. Those out of the system, for obvious reasons, do not broadcast it. In order to protect themselves, they must lay low. This approach is at odds with cultural involvement. Dropping out of society and hunkering down, hiding from the IRS, is a self-defeating strategy.

Writing on certain controversial but justifiable topics may require using an alias. The founding fathers of our nation used this approach. It may be appropriate to use separate newsletters and mailing addresses so as not to unnecessarily cause some tyrannical bureaucrat to begin oppressive investigations against innocent parties. Christian charity demands that actions on our part not endanger our families and brothers and sisters. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that many agents of the federal government could not care less about Boston Tea Party’s, Schiff’s or anyone else’s arguments, they simply believe in raw power. Some government agents shoot first and maybe ask questions later. Remember the federal government attack on Randy Weaver and the Branch Davidians.

Jury members do not feel sympathy for most tax protestors. Why? Jury members themselves pay taxes and as a rule resent those whom they perceive are trying to take advantage of the system. Jury members may also believe the tax protestor is cheating the system and this is why their tax rates keep going up. By dropping out of the system, the tax protestor is not attempting to reach any kind of unanimity with the average tax-paying citizen. A consensus has to be built politically before laws can be changed.

Attorney David G. Hagopian has written a valuable two part article “Render To All What Is Due Them” in the Ordained Servant. Hagopian’s scholarly article deals with the biblical requirement of paying taxes to the state. In his thoroughgoing article, Hagopian addresses and provides a biblically based answer to the jurisdictional or “nature of government” argument that some tax protestors use. Some of Hagopian’s relevant comments follow:

Some tax resistance advocates argue that if a given tax is not lawfully imposed, it is not rightfully due. We are only to render to Caesar what is his, they tell us, and we can only give back to Caesar that to which he is entitled in the first place. To be sure, the state often attempts to get more than its due, and this argument may be well-founded, depending upon the circumstances.

To begin with, this argument depends upon the type of government in power. While we have already noted that our obligation to obey rulers and pay taxes to them does not depend upon the type of government in power, the type of government in power does dictate the resource available to the tax resister in any given circumstance. To illustrate, a believer in Imperial Rome simply did not have all of the means of recourse available to a believer in twentieth century America. Whereas a tax revolt may very well have cost you your life in Imperial Rome as it did with Judas of Galilee, it may cost you your life savings in twentieth century America! This is simply to say that the consequences of resisting a given tax will vary depending upon the circumstances in which the believer finds himself. And let us never be so myopic as to forget that some modern believers may find themselves in countries more like Imperial Rome than modern America.20

Another relevant article in regard to a proper Christian course of action is “The Civil Order–A Covenantal View” by Michael Paul Turi, a former advocate of the “patriot tax protest movement” in the Chalcedon Report.21 Turi deals with the apostle Paul’s instruction to Christians in Romans 13:1-7 regarding subjection to the state. Turi argues that our present tax system is Christ’s chastisement of His church. Those who refuse to pay taxes may very well be rebelling against Christ’s chastisement. The fruit of submitting to Christ’s chastisement will surely bring about a reawakening to God’s principles for government that alone can bring freedom.

The Tenth District Federal Court, according to Devvy Kidd (former candidate for U.S. Congress in the State of California), will not listen to any more tax protest cases.22 Why? The Court is tired of hearing what they perceive to be fraudulent, moronic arguments. Unfortunately, in a number of cases this is precisely what has happened. Every one loses when bogus arguments take the place of serious research. Many tax protestors have become nothing more than guinea pigs for someone’s latest theory on how to escape the system. Finally, those who write on tax protest strategies should offer disclaimers if they are not trained in the law and competent to give legal advice. They should also obtain an indemnification bond (similar to malpractice insurance) to protect those who follow their advice and end up in the “crossbar hotel.”

Are there reasons for hope? Educating politicians with biblical and constitutional arguments will prove very effective. Why? God honors faithfulness to His covenant in history. The word of God does not return void (Isaiah 55:11). In summary, it should be remembered that Christians are to follow Christ’s commands set forth in Scripture. We should use all the legal means presently available to us in correcting our unjust system. The current unconstitutional tax structure can be changed by involvement in the political system. Confrontation with tax officials using arguments such as those offered by a number of tax protestors will be unsuccessful. Why? Because they are Anabaptistic (a radical individualistic approach to government) and destructive to social order which is necessary for society to exist. Tax protest strategies which advocate that people leave the system are incapable of producing a positive, lasting change in society because at the core of these arguments is a non-biblical presupposition of human autonomy. In addition, they are not seeking to bring about change through the elected magistrate. The covenantal approach is uniquely reformed and one that takes seriously divinely appointed representatives. Rushdoony sets before us some important thoughts on history and a proper course of action:

The Anabaptist despaired of any hope in civil government. They sought a radical separation from the world which, while stressing a voluntary church and a “spiritual” reformation, was marked by a surrender of civil order as evil and beyond redemption. Extremists in Anabaptism sought to establish their own civil order of the saints by revolution, but most withdrew and regarded both the state and the church which worked with the framework of civil order as false and even evil. To most princes and churchmen, it was the Anabaptist solution which was evil. It was imperative thus for Calvin to avoid any association of his movement with Anabaptism, with which he emphatically disagreed.

As a result, Calvin strongly stressed civil obedience while allowing for ordered change through civil magistrates. The Renaissance was an era of statism, tyranny, and corruption. Revolt made sense to many and was very much in the air. For Calvinism to have fanned the fires of civil revolt would have been fatal. An analogy to the present can be made. I find, wherever I speak, churchmen, as they hear of the persecution of Christians, and encroachments on religious freedom in the United States, are quick about asking if it is not about time to resort to arms! I find it imperative to emphasize civil obedience, I stress the fact that a very, very large number of church members do not vote; very, very few ever contribute to a political campaign, and fewer are active in politics. When the means of peaceful solutions can readily give us victory, to talk about suicidal violence is morally wrong. We have a battle to wage peacefully in the courts and in legislative bodies. Calvin was concerned with avoiding an ungodly disaster; so too must we be concerned.23

As shown by Rushdoony, John Calvin, the Protestant Reformer, believed in “ordered change through civil magistrates.” This writer knows of individuals in the tax protest movement who are not active politically, and in some cases have never even voted. Hopefully, the wisdom of Calvin is not lost to those who profess reformed convictions. It has been said, “The power to tax is the power to control and destroy.” This is true. One of my disagreements with tax protestors is one of biblical strategy on how to regain freedom and liberty. On certain issues, they may be theoretically correct. Being theoretically correct does not justify breaking even inequitable laws, especially when we have a process available to change the situation.

It seems as if the authors of the various books protesting taxes have rarely targeted their elected representatives with their arguments. Have these authors sought out meetings with their representatives or their staff? If the tax protestor goes to the court with his arguments, then he should make sure the arguments are constitutionally sound. How can this be accomplished? If an elected representative will back the case by saying that in their opinion the case has merit, this adds enormous credibility and weight to the case. If the elected representative agrees with the arguments then this creates better opportunities to convince our fellow citizens. We cannot afford to present flawed and dubious arguments to the court. This hurts all future cases by creating a prejudice against tax cases. The Tenth District Federal Court is a case in point.

In conclusion, the commands of Scripture transcend tax protest arguments and strategies. Therefore, the believer must pay taxes, pray for relief, and work to change society. We are in a war of ideas, a cultural war of conflicting world views. Any strategy that leaves out declaring the whole counsel of God is doomed to failure. Fallen men do not like freedom. They love slavery even to the state. If this is doubted, consider the likelihood of scrapping the present socialist “Social Security” system. Demolishing this cultural idol is unthinkable even for many Christians. Today, men look to the government for salvation and all their needs. This view of government is nothing short of idolatry on man’s part. How do we overcome this world view which in reality fuels the escalation of taxes and government regulations? The tax protest movement does not address the real roots of the problems today. Regeneration must take place first. The result of regeneration will be a love for freedom and self-responsibility. Jesus came to set men free.

From God’s perspective our government is in a qualified sense de jure. If this is true, then not only should we pay taxes, we should recognize that the present government has been providentially established and continues in power by God’s sovereignty. From man’s perspective our government would appear to be a de facto government. We must endeavor to see things from God’s perspective. Why? Because God is God and He is sovereign. In addition, God is the Creator and we are His creatures. The Christian is obligated to do the will of God. The doctrine of God’s sovereignty does not mean that we resign ourselves to defeat. On the contrary, this doctrine gives us the theological basis for working all the harder for the cause of freedom, and if it pleases God, then perhaps He will grant us deliverance. The book of Judges tells of God’s chastisements and the subsequent deliverance of His people.

The state is God’s creation for good and order in society, and therefore has moral authority to do many things including the levying of taxes. Today, and at many times in history, the state has been an instrument of man’s self-imposed slavery. Men sell themselves into slavery for the illusion of security. The rebuilding of society happens through the preaching of the gospel. The work of discipleship for a nation begins by teaching God’s principles for all of life. This, and this alone, will reverse the trend towards socialism or the complete takeover by the federal government. As the Christian learns these principles he has a basis for speaking out against oppressive and unjust taxation. We must be actively engaged in fighting against the idolatry of statism and maintain a principled opposition against all forms of tyranny. For those who believe in the continual advancement of Christ’s kingdom in history there is hope. We must press the claims of Christ’s Lordship in every area of life including the state. Christ is indeed the Lord of the state.

End notes part three

20. David Hagopian, Esq. “Render To All What Is Due Them” in the Ordained Servant, (Carson, ND: Pleroma Press, 1995), Volume Four, Number Four, p. 80, 81.

21. Michael Paul Turi, “The Civil Order–A Covenantal View” in the Chalcedon Report, (Vallecito, CA: Calaveras Press, 1995), p. 16-19.

22. Devvy Kidd, Lecture given at Citizens For The Constitution, Denver, CO, 1995.

23. Rushdoony, Christianity And The State, p. 101.

Mr. Kettler is an ordained Presbyterian Elder and the owner of Undergroundnotes.com where his theological, philosophical and political articles can be read. He has worked in corporate America for over 25 years and is now realizing his dreams as a successful home business entrepreneur. Mr. Kettler can be reached through his business site at: http://www.internationalhomebusinessonline.com. Permission is hereby granted to reprint this article as long as my web site is retained in the biographical information.