Bex,

You said...



I believe God allows two kinds of judgements to befall us:

(1) Individual, and
(2) Collective.

Pertaining to (1)... We are individually judged and receive punishment and reward in this world according to what we do.

Pertaining to (2)... We are collectively judged in that—for example—if the United States falls away from God's law, we are collectively judged.

I believe the vast majority if "judgement" is incidental. In other words, it's built into the system. God does not necessarily intervene, He simply lets us experience the natural consequences that result from a collective action.

Examples of this in Old Testament times may be when Israel was invaded and went into captivity. There were, perhaps, Israelites who did not live in sin, however, they went into captivity too.

This is an example of how we are supposed to be actively involved in the lives of each other, helping each other to walk straight.

Today, the mainstream church, for example, has been taught that they're not supposed to be involved in politics. We have the idea of "Separation of Church and State" pounded in our heads by the media and pastors/preachers are not correcting this very damaging and misleading information.

When you understand the principle and source of this phrase, you understand that it does not mean the inability of the church to participate in political matters, instead it really means the inability of the government to prohibit the chruch from participating in political matters. Far too few people understand this.

Godless people have no sense of accountability, so when they get into positions of power, there will be corruption. When there is corruption, there is suffering. So here we are.

The church should be involved in politics and media more than any other group on the planet, routing out corruption and injustice and playing an active, leading role in the process.

Unfortunately, because of misinformation and apathy, the church has come to believe they are to simply sit back and let others control the affairs of the people (government). In fact, the church sold out to the IRS when they accepted "tax free" status in exchange for giving up their right of free speach.

How did this happen?

To be classified as a "tax-free" church under IRS statutes, you are not allowed to support any political positions or candidates. Not only is it amazing that the church sat back and allowed this oppressive law to be passed, the IRS did not even have the right to institute an income tax based on Art I Sec 9 of Constitutional law.

This may sound a little removed from the subject on it's face, but in fact it's central to the reason there is so much suffering today.

The corrupt people of the world convinced the church to shut up and stay out of the political process in exchange for tax exemption, essentially, a bribe.

The lack of involvement by the chruch in politics has allowed corruption to flourish...

...and here we are.

"Evil flourishes when good men do nothing."
—Edmund Burke

The best thing that could happen to the world right now is for the church to suddenly wake up, start getting involved and educate itself and others on the huge issues we face. We need to become brave and motivated because, after all, there are two things God hates:

(1) Apathy
(2) Fear

And the church is currently stifiled by both.

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
—Rev 3:15-16

In this passage, lukewarm means apathetic.

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
—Rev 21:8

Look at the first item in the list above: "Fearful".

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
—2Ti 1:7 (one of my favorites)

The proper translation for "sound mind" is "self discipline".

Here's the translation for "power" from Strong's...

G1411
dunamis (doo'-nam-is)
From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself): - ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

God has given us good stuff. The question is, what are we doing with it?


...And in case no one else does, I do thank you for giving your time to help people. There are givers and there are takers and it's obvious that you put your time in giving.


"Never give up. Never surrender!"
Commander Peter Quincy Taggart, Galaxy Quest