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Not Forcing God's Law; Accommodating Differences in Belief
Remnant Saints Inter-Continental Congress
NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 Number 11
February 26, 2002
by Jeffery Francom
(Responding to: Another Meeting with Joel; Role of God)
To: full RSICC membership
This is an interesting thread! I would like to throw in my opinion if I may...
I agree with all that has been said about the necessity of implementing a government based on God's
Law rather than man's. The question I would raise is "how do we establish such a government
without breaking God's Law? Let me explain what I mean.
There are two related items that I feel are important to consider in this endeavor.
1. Accommodating for differences in belief.
2. Not enforcing God's Law by force. That would go contrary to my understanding of God's Law of
"free agency." (Call it what you may. The point is that God seems to have placed people on
this earth and then allows us to choose if we will follow him to heaven, or follow the devil to
hell.)
Let me explain both thoughts in a little more detail.
1. Accommodating for differences in belief.
I believe we are in agreement that God's way is the best way... and the only acceptable way to live.
So, like you, I want to live in a society that is based on God's Law. The problem is that people
want to live in a society based God's Law as *they* understand it. But look around. Do people agree
on a single interpretation of God's Law and what it is? Not remotely!
Consider this. Most religions are based on people attempting to create an organization based on
God's 'religious' laws. Yet there are thousands of different religions! Many of the differences are
fundamental. Even among sincere Christians - all believing in the same bible look at the variety of
interpretations. Even among people who agree on what books constitute "God's authoritative
word" there is very little agreement on what the same scriptures mean. And have you ever tried
to convince someone that your interpretation of an issue was right? Now consider other non-Christian
people, be they Jewish, Baha'i... People do not easily change their belief system.
So in forming a government based on God's Law, the first challenge I see is coming up with an
interpretation of God's Law that all good people will agree upon.
Let me add a point here, lest I be misunderstood. Most religions are waiting for God to appear to
mankind in His Glory. This is also an important part of my religion. So when he does come, I expect
that he will come in manner where all will know Him and worship Him. If that is the case, then these
concerns may no longer exist. In reality truth is truth without reference to the opinions of man.
But for the present at least, it seems that God has left people as free to believe as they will. He
seems to guide the sincere in heart of all religions. He permits, even calls people to declare His
word. But so far, he does not seem to be inclined to reveal himself (yet) in a manner where all
people will share a single interpretation of His will. So when he comes suddenly, agreement may be
easier to come by. In the meantime, it would be very presumptuous of me to assume that my views are
all in-line with his will, and any interpretation other than mine is wrong and I have the right to
deny them their opinion.
2. Not enforcing God's Law by force.
My second concern is that (according to my understanding of the scriptures) God does not use force
to impose His Divine law upon mankind. But if we do not all agree on a unified interpretation of
God's will, how then could we establish a government based on God's Law, as we understand it? We
have no right to force it on others. We would not want to!
What I believe we all DO want is the right to live under God's Law, as we understand it - and to
permit others to do the same.
So there are the two concerns I have on how to implement God's Law. Now I would like to suggest a
possible solution.
We do need to have a government that is able to defend us from other nations who would attack our
freedoms. We do need to have a level of enforcement that prohibits ones neighbor from infringing on
our fundamental rights. If we lived in a better world, perhaps that would not be necessary. But the
fact is that this world is full of people who want nothing more than to usurp power and exercise
dominion over others... On individual as well as national levels. We do need a way to defend
ourselves from them if we want to persevere until the day when God may fight our battles. For now it
seems he wants us to defend our own liberties, with his help.
So suppose we were to establish a government based on our collective wisdom and understanding of
God's Law... In this process we pray for and expect inspiration. We make certain that it is done in
manner that we believe would please God. (When he comes if he wants to make alterations, I doubt
anyone here would argue!)
We invite all to join us in this "government", but we are committed to *not* attempt to
impose it upon anyone.
At the same time, we need to ensure that we are free to do this, and others are free to do the same.
So we outline a "federal" level government that is very limited. Its primary purpose is to
protect everyone's right to live God's Law as they understand it, and allow others to do likewise.
It would be vital that this "federal government" be carefully written and that it be
consistent with God's Law... but it would not to seek to define that law for us. It would leave that
to smaller covenant societies. It would however defend our fundamental right to do so.
This would need to be very carefully written so that we could be sure it protects without infringing
upon fundamental rights. The whole focus of this 'constitution' would be to ensure the proper
balance and limitation of powers. It could be written such that it would be useless as a tool to
exercise power or lordship over others...
The system allows values to be competing - not compulsory. I believe that in such an environment, a
"remnant" of God-fearing people (such as RS) would 'get it right' and would create a group
of people that truly do follow God's Law. I also believe that if the playing field were level (all
are protected in their rights etc) that such a group would THRIVE. In a world of competing values,
God’s true values would stand out and would grow and would spread out until it included all the
pure in heart.
This is the only scenario that I have heard that would allow me to live in a government that is
based on God's Law as I believe - without me forcing my neighbor to believe as I do.
I encourage everyone to continue to study Joel's work on this topic. I will do the same. I expect I
am missing many of his points, but I think this is the general idea.
Any Thoughts?
Many Thanks,
Jeffery Francom
<jfrancom@ingeo.com
>
See also
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