Thomas Jefferson talked about the Wall of Separation between Church and State. Jefferson’s intent in that Wall of Separation was to keep the State from overtaking the church or demand that we worship a certain way. But that is now interpreted the exact opposite. That Wall of Separation that was built to protect religious freedom and protect the church from the State is now protecting the State from the Church. And rather than the State protecting our right to worship, they seem intent on denying us that right.
We have had a tremendous response at Martintown Community Church to our Parking Lot Church. We now conduct our worship services simultaneously inside the church in person, or outside on our Jumbotron in your private vehicle.
Anyone can social distance at their own discretion — or not. But our concern going forward is that the government will attempt to control this newly discovered freedom we now enjoy — like it did earlier when it banned the church from gathering publicly.
People of faith must be bold. The British despised what they called “the black robed regiment” and gave the clergy credit for defeating them in the American Revolution. Reliable historical sources record that every right expressed in the Declaration of Independence was voiced from pulpits first. In this tradition…
1. I believe that traditional marriage between a man and a woman is not based in government decree but is the foundational building block of society given by God. It may not be tampered with without severe consequences.
2. I believe life is sacred. Abortion — from conception to birth — is a holocaust and precursor to infanticide. I vote justice for the unborn and I believe in grace for tragically wounded mothers.
3. I believe that Biblical truths inspired our Constitution. The USA is unique in the world because of the freedoms found here. We are an international inspiration because of it. I vote for the party that most closely defends the Constitution as its original authors intended it to be understood.
4. I believe that this world is not my home. Jesus said, “I will build my church.” The church is built on the bold expression of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the sins of the world. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea,” (Habakkuk 2:14).
Lord, fill this world with your glory! Come Lord Jesus! This world is not my home!
This is how I will vote:
● I will vote for the most pro-life candidate, because God hates the shedding of innocent blood, (Prov.6:17).
● I will vote for the most pro-Israel candidate, because God blesses those who bless Israel and curses those who don’t, (Gen.12:3).
● I will vote for the most pro-debt reduction candidate, because the borrower is servant to the lender, (Prov. 22:7).
● I will vote for the most pro-work candidate because God says if a man not work, let him not eat, (2 Thess.3:10).
● I will vote for the most pro-marriage candidate, because God is for marriage as defined in Genesis 2:24.
● I will vote for the candidate who most closely believes the government’s purpose is to reward the good and punish the evil, (Romans 13).
● I will vote based as closely as I can on God’s Word, (2Tim.3:16), knowing that whoever gets elected, God is the one who puts them in authority, (Dan.2:21)
— Reflections appears regularly on the religion page. The column features a variety of local writers, coordinated through the Monroe Area Clergy Group. Kevin Cernek is senior pastor of Martintown Community Church.
