7/9/13- Limits and Boundaries of Politicians

16 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to theLord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.17 Azariah the priest with eighty other courageous priests of the Lord followed him in.18 They confronted King Uzziah and said, “It is not right for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord. That is for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who have been consecrated to burn incense. Leave the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful; and you will not be honored by the Lord God.”

19 Uzziah, who had a censer in his hand ready to burn incense, became angry. While he was raging at the priests in their presence before the incense altar in the Lord’s temple, leprosy broke out on his forehead. 20 When Azariah the chief priest and all the other priests looked at him, they saw that he had leprosy on his forehead, so they hurried him out. Indeed, he himself was eager to leave, because the Lord had afflicted him. (2 Chronicles 26:18)

So Saul said, “Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. 10 Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.  11 “What have you done?” asked Samuel...13 “You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. (1 Samuel 13)

Civil authorities may not assume to themselves the administration of the Word and sacraments, or the power of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, nor should they interfere in any way in matters of faith. Yet, as caring fathers, it is the duty of civil authorities to protect the church of our common Lord without giving preference to any denomination of Christians above the rest—doing so in such a way that all church authorities shall enjoy the full, free, and unquestioned liberty of carrying out every part of their sacred functions without violence or danger. (Westminster Confession of Faith XXV). 

Thoughts: Uzziah and Saul were not anointed as priests, but they thought that because they were kings they could assume the priestly office.  In effect they believed they could ordain themselves and usurped the power of the church.  The church and the things of God are not to be manipulated by political authority.  Rather the political authority, when working well, does not persecute, manipulate, or interfere with the church but protect the church.
    In distant times English kings tried to manipulate the worship book of the church of Scotland, causing a rebellion.  In modern times, Hitler tried to put swastika flags in sanctuaries and force churches to say, "Heil Hitler." Freedom of religion allows people of faith to believe differently.  Politicians should not force patriotism any more than nations want religious groups to try to force and manipulate in order to get converts or avoid the loss of converts.  

Prayer: Lord, bring peace to my country and peace to my faith.  May they learn to coexist that your peace would reign.  

(The arrest of the last Covenanter martyr- James Renwick 1688)