The Real Problem With Government

In Genesis 1,2,3 mankind is expelled from God's presence. Kicked out of the ideal relationship of Godly governance and prohibited from re-entering. Since then, humans have had to figure out issues of governance, how to organize ourselves, how to find ways of cooperate and interaction.

Biology itself demands that we figure out how to act together. We have no fangs,no  claws, or great speed... so, we have to cooperate to survive.  From the family to the tribe, to the nation... increasing in complexity as we increase in numbers… we have tried: patriarchy, matriarchy, monarchy, democracy, republics, capitalism, socialism.

These options sort of work, in a way... until they begin to fall apart... debt, financial collapse, chaos, revolution... all forms of government fail for the same reason... because they are subject to human control and therefore human nature... human weaknesses... human self-centeredness... human sin.

Our problems are not necessarily due to structural or systemic flaws. Clearly, some systems are better than others but real trouble comes from people within the system.

Consider this: at one time, all the angels were subject to God. Presumably, the structural part of God's government was without flaw. Furthermore, God Himself was in the seat of authority and rule... Yet, a third of the angels were deceived... rebelled against God... and had to be cast out. War, rebellion, trouble.

Having the right structure / form / system is not the answer... so, it’s not the greatest issue... a point to remember when we eventually get to review what form of governance or structure we use to organize ourselves as a Church. Specifically, the  United Church of God.

For now, let's set that discussion aside. It’s important... but it’s not THE MOST IMPORTANT matter to discuss. How do I know it’s not THE MOST IMPORTANT matter... because God has not made it THE MOST IMPORTANT matter in His word... He has not indicated, or revealed, any one specific organizational framework... never changing… set for all time. In fact, God has used a variety of systems for working with His people:

Structure and form change, even within God's plan. But certain important things do not change. In the age of the Church, here is what we know:

Ephesians 5:23-32 Christ is the head (He is the top authority). This is the guiding principle for how the Church governs itself. It also offered as the guiding principle for human organization in the flesh... The family is specifically mentioned in these verses... and logically the offer can be extended to all forms of organization: family, tribes, kingdoms, nations. It’s the way to go.... IF we want them to be successful. "Blessed is the nation God is for" Psalm 33:12 

Christ is the head of His Church. That never changes, even if earthly circumstances change. And they DO change... nowadays God's Church has adopted the organizational structure of a corporation under U.S. law... why? Because that's how you get stuff done in this bureaucratic, legalistic society. Its a necessary legal construct for collecting tithes and offerings, for renting property, for paying salaries, paying for websites, printing and mailing literature, maintaining a mailing address or call center, etc.

Is incorporation of God... No. Is is biblical... No. Is it adopted to accommodate the changed circumstances of the modern age... Yes. Can God operate within a corporation... Yes. Note: about 7 years ago people were up in arms that structuring yourself as a 503c corporation was a tool of Satan. Some advocating separation. OK, some means of incorporation may be better than others.... but structure is not our core issue!

1 Corinthians 12:5-6 structure changes over time.... the questions and concerns of 21st century America are different from life in the Roman empire of the first century. BUT, God is at work in all of them and never deviates from His plan.

Question: what is God's plan? Hebrews 2:10

Question: if structure is not the answer, what serves to define what the Church is, or should be then what is?

God's word does offer a smattering of organizational advice which we try to put into practice (and discussed in a previous sermon last month). But, how the Church operates changes over time... even within the record of scripture: the Church that sprang into being at the Pentecost of 31 AD. operated very differently from the Church we encounter 30 years later in 1 and 2 Timothy. Some of the former, and some of the later we are able to put to use in our day.

What we find in God's word is lots of instruction and guidance about defining what Godly (Good) leadership looks like. What the people have to think and act for any system to work.

Consider Solomon (monarchy) who asked for wisdom to lead and serve the nation instead of riches and fame. God was pleased with Solomon's priorities 1 Kings 3:4-10. But this perspective didn't originate with Solomon. He was calling God's  word for inspiration Deuteronomy 17:14-20.

Here is an unchanging constant applicable to all questions of governance and leadership at all times. When we look at God's Church in the 21st century, either the corporate over-structure, or the congregational experience... the critical question to ask  is:  are God's servants working to yield themselves to God's explicit commands for love, service, and submission one-to-another.

God identifies these as the true heart and core of good governance. AND puts you in His Church to help build this mindset within yourself. Because that is the way of thinking that defines who will  inherit the earth.... inherit all creation... who will be seated alongside Christ... HOW will we offer good government to ALL beings. You are part of the good news of the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 3:3-4 different viewpoints on how we should structure ourselves are tricky, what are the priorities, who is who, what is what... Paul, Peter, John all openly discussed these sort of issues... likewise today we have to discuss issues... but in what spirit shall we discuss them? Jealousy, envy, self interest, factionalism... no, these are the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19).

Any Church governance (or discussion of) without God's holy spirit leading and guiding is just another iteration of human mis-rule that tracks back the Genesis 1,2,3.... except now its wrapped up in religious robes.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 its hard to find examples of kings and rulers who remain humble in relation to their subjects. The key to success is found embedded in these sharp, short verses. Reverence for God's law...  to understand that God's law is above all else... that His law is above YOU. God's word tells us multiple times there is not one law for him and another law for him, for rich or poor, for native and stranger. one law for rulers and another for subjects.

Because this is a scenario that is productive, fruitful, beneficial for everyone: its good for the Church of God, its good for your family, its good for society (as much as they are willing to practise it).

Productive because it leads people to go where God intends for them to go. Not where other flawed human beings want them to go. With human intention life is a race to see who can get ahead. With God we go together, with no one left out. Its a system that over-rides personal self interest, vanity, ego...

Personal self interest, vanity, ego... are example of ways of thinking that will take actual and potential leaders [kings, priests, judges] away from God... place themselves above His law for example... that is one of the lessons of the recorded history of Israel and Judah.... bad ways of thinking at the top will trickle down to the people. And that's exactly what happened. And we see that in our nation as a whole.

Solomon: he started off with a heart and mind focused on service towards the people. Service that would have moved them forward in God's plan of self development. Solomon lost the vision, he began doing things to please himself, and exalt himself, things which God had specifically told him no to do. He put himself above the law... and began the downward slide of Israel.

Question: when Solomon died what did the people say about his rule? 1 Kings 12:3-4

Matthew 5:5 meekness is inextricably tied to receiving the inheritance of the earth.... which is righteous rule on earth seated alongside Christ. Meekness is gentleness, humblity, and submission... and within the biblical context meaning humble and submissive to God's law and His authority over your life.

Meekness is a difficult subject.... The flesh and blood mind sees successful leadership as self confident, bold, decisive, perhaps even a bit arrogant and a little bit cruel. Because that's the pattern human history gives us. People like that get stuff done!

Accepting meekness as the true hallmark of leadership is difficult for most people. Question: if the Church leadership act in a way that is meek... what do we think of them? Do we question their leadership abilities [they’re ineffective, not getting stuff done]? Paul had to go over this dilemma multiple times especially in the letters to Corinth. "bold in letter... but weak in person".

Isaiah 55:8 meekness in leadership is counter intuitive.

Politics is all about shifting, maneuvering, making alliances, gathering influence. Why? To get what YOU want. To move the group in the direction YOU think is best. Even if its cloaked in fine sounding religious talk about justice, truth, fairness, equity.... If its about what you want its… its politics.

Does stuff like this happen in God's Church... obviously. It happened in Paul's congregations... John wrote about it in his letters. Its part of being human. Therefore, its part of you participation in God's Church.

Neither of these is a recipe for success… The recipe for success is personal meekness: obedience o God's law and authority, humility (appreciating your smallness), submission. In other words, you have to learn to keep your head while swimming through turbulent waters.

Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus' discussion was not His way of removing all authority, government, or structure from His Church.  Jesus was teaching what our attitude towards authority should be, and how it should be used. Which as a surprise to all of them!

We might desire a mystical spiritual encounter with God. But what we get is to be placed within a body, a structured environment with authority and governance. The church struggles with human nature as does the rest of the world around us. But, with God’s holy spirit we have guidance on how to self correct. It works to give us conviction, commitment, and courage to learn about governing and being governed.

Can you do it? Or will you give up? Please don’t give up!

We are to be subject to Christ... subject to one another. We acknowledge that HE has put authority within His Church. We understand that anything less would be to remove the important lessons of learning righteous rule from His Church.

We know structure, governance and authority are essential to bringing the kingdom of God to this earth and to all creation. We know humanity cannot have on without the other. We accept our present purpose: to learn meekness, obedience, humility, gentleness, and submission to God and to one another.