Separation

The purpose for writing what I do here is not to instruct or lecture but to express myself on select issues and to make public my search, our search, for a way for my family, friends and me to navigate The Way while residing physically in a foreign land.

I know that there is an answer to the question.

Much time has been invested in researching how to remove, or more correctly separate, from the world. Many schemes to rescind numbers, certificates and liscenses have been reviewed. Dozens of legal strategies for overcoming the state with tricks and avoiding traps have been heard.

All of the propositions have one major flaw: they use they system to subvert the system or to defeat the system. Going to one part of the secular government to try to win immunity from another part of the secular government is akin to a chicken going to KFC to be protected from Tyson...you are still gonna be dinner.

If you use a process, designed into the system, to escape the world, what is there about that process that makes you believe you are free?

It seems to me that there are only three ways to separate completely from the world:

1. Leave the territory under their control,
2. Overthrow the rulers,
3. Be set free.

Since the entire world is under the control of the usurper and his forces, there is no where to go.

There are few, a remnant as it were, who seek this liberty, Rebellion is neither possible nor acceptable. I can find no-where where we are instructed by God or true Apostles to engage in an overthrow of any government of the world - locally, nationally or internationally. In fact, i can't even find a suggestion, much less a command, to engage with the world system to modify it. This precludes a dominionist concept of rule on the part of believers.

That leaves liberty by release. Either the slavemasters must voluntarily free us or our price must be paid (i.e. our debt satisfied).

The idea of redemption, Christ as kinsman redeemer, would have to come into play here.

Here are some references to explore:

http://threshingfloor-radio.com/index.php/2010/07/gospel-of-kingdom/

http://www.hisholychurch.org/index.php

http://www.oneradionetwork.com/liberty%10geopolitics_-_podcasts/%93how_to_be_free_in_an_unfree_world%94/david_williams_says_there_is_a_reason_the_constitution_is_not_working_for_us__live_monday,_may_31st._201005311720

http://www.oneradionetwork.com/liberty%10geopolitics_-_podcasts/%93how_to_be_free_in_an_unfree_world%94/david_williams_says_the_constitution_does_not_apply_here_thursday_,_july_1st_10_am_central_201006301749/

Read and listen.

Come back and talk with...and with them. Clever tricks and word games are not enough. We have other work to do.

P.S. Apologies for the roughness of the post. It was written in one pass. I will edit and expand in the coming days. This is the point of all of it.

Relationship

Easter is coming soon. You can tell because the Wal-Mart shelves are crammed with toys and baskets and candy, lots of candy, most of it some pastel shade. You can tell because the church signs are in full marketing mode.

We don't practice easter or christmas or any of those other adapted pagan celebrations.

We haven't for some time.

But some of our extended family just doesn't seem to have grokked our rejection of these unholy days.

This is now leading to a moment of decision: a long-time family friend wants to have an "easter" party for our children. He's a decent guy and no doubt he thinks he is doing something nice and fun for them.

What harm can it be? All our children know what easter is about and why we prefer to observe a Passover celebration and focus on the redemption Christ provided during this time. That being the case, how could a few easter eggs and some candy be bad, right?

Besides, if we decline, it will hurt his feelings, and that would be bad, right?

Wrong.

If we go, we will be teaching our children that it OK to compromise, especially if it brings a little pleasure or it helps to maintain a relationship. We teach them to put sense ahead of knowledge and relationship ahead of God.

This is one of those subtle devices the world employs to move you, however slightly, toward the broad and easy road.

Will it hurt our friend to say we can't go, maybe, but it would be more damaging to not stand firm.