You said — “Government is legitimately allowed to use force to prevent people from being defrauded - you are correct and i should have specified that. It does not apply here though, unless the John refuses to pay or the whore rolls the John.”
—
The purpose of God-given government (which the Bible says that governmental authorities are God-given) is to restrain evil and to punish evil-doers. And how do we know what is “evil” or an “evil-doer” — other than by definition of the God who puts into place the “institution” of “government” for that purpose?
We see from God, Himself, that this is evil and those who participate in it are evil-doers. God is not concerned that two evil individuals made an agreement with each other to participate in an evil act. God condemns both evil doers for engaging in the evil act, regardless of money or contract or mutal agreement.
—
And talking about the outlawing of thoughts, as Jesus *so appropriately* pointed out — that is where it starts — that is never something that was stated as a function of government. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that the punishment comes from the *action* — rather than the thought. Jesus was pointing out that the “action” comes from the “thought”. One leads to the other. The punishment comes when “thought” results in “action”. That’s *always* been the basis for Biblical punishment.
And you’ll note that when the Great White Throne judgement comes down (see end of Revelation), you’ll see that it’s the *deeds* and *actions* which are “judged” even then — and not the thoughts. The very simple reason is that “deeds” are the “outward manifestation” of “hidden thoughts”. And it’s the “outward manifestation” which is punished.
—
You noted that “legislating morality” will not produce a moral society. Well, you are making the wrong assumptions here. It’s not supposed to produce a moral society. It’s simply supposed to *restrain evil* — nothing more and nothing less.
Its goal is *not* to “produce internal morals” where none exist in the first place. The *purpose* is to *restrain evil* — because if it is not restrained — it will be rampant and God has commanded this “institution” of “government” to be that *restraint* upon evil in the world.
So, you’re *wrong* in the presumption that it has *anything* to do with “producing morality”. That’s why that’s a false argument. It has nothing at all to do with producing morality.
You’ll also *note* that in the Millennial reign of Christ, that Jesus, rules with an iron rod and punishment is swift and sure. It’s not like it is today. There will be no room for deviation in the Millennial Kingdom of God, which will be on this earth during that 1,000 year reign. He will be reigning over some of these very same people (i.e., “individuals”) that we see alive, here on earth right now. And He will be ruling and reigning over these very same nations who are existent upon this earth today. And He will be ruling and reigning over the sames peoples (i.e., “people groups”) as who exist on this earth today.
With all that being said — and with the Millennial Reign of Christ being the *most restrictive* government to ever to exist on the face of this earth in the *history* of the earth — we find it to *still* have evil and sin in that Kingdom. So, even then — with Christ, Himself, ruling and reigning over the entire earth — it is still full of sin and it still has death. And people (even at that time) will *still* have to accept Christ as their savior. Very surprisingly (at least to some people, it is) — we find that millions and millions (if not *billions*) of people *rebel* against Christ in His rule and reign during that 1,000 year Kingdom of God on this earth.
So, even then — the aim is not to “produce morality” — but rather to *restrain* evil and *punish* evil-doers.
You are wrong on many points.
First of all, government is not a GOD ordained institution; it was originally something men in their foolishness and idolatry demanded of GOD. He was the king of HIS chosen people but they wanted a man to look to instead of trusting in the LORD. HE warned them that they would lose their liberties and men would take their wealth but they didn’t listen and so we received “government” rather than Theocracy.
GOD does order us to obey our leaders and he has said they are there to be HIS sword but you take it out of context, this is a sword against evil nations not a sword against it’s own people. HE used Israel to bring his judgment against the Canaanites and other evil nations and then he used Babylon to bring judgment against Israel when she went astray.
GOD’s Holy Spirit is purposed to restrain evil and HE leaves evil’s consequences to punish those who commit it. It’s a spiritual law of the universe, live by the sword, die by the sword.
The purpose of HIS LAW was not to punish or curb evil behavior it was to illuminate our utter depravity and illustrate that we are incapable of living a free from sin. Jesus then explained the spirit of the law by pointing out that GOD judges not the action but the heart so yes, at the Day of Judgment we will be judged for our thoughts as well as our words and deeds. This is what the Pharisees couldn’t and wouldn’t accept and this is the trap legalists throughout history fall into. This is where cults are born and the inquisition and all of the evil that has been committed in the name of Christianity. This is why Jesus was crucified.
The Law’s other purpose, along with the Levitical statutes and temple sacrificial edicts were to point to Christ (excepting the laws pertaining to food and washing as this was also for health and disease prevention). Everything the tribe of Benjamin did, everything they wore, every ceremony was specifically given by GOD to point to the final and only effective propitiation for sin – Jesus and the Cross. When GOD told Israel to stone adulterers he did so because they were immature in their understanding of GOD, HIS plan and their inherited sinful nature. He followed most of these punishments with the phrase – So you shall purge the evil from your midst. They didn’t have the gospel or the blessing of the Holy Spirit residing in their hearts as Christians do today to help keep society in line.
You’ll also *note* that in the Millennial reign of Christ, that Jesus, rules with an iron rod and punishment is swift and sure.
So, even then — the aim is not to “produce morality” — but rather to *restrain* evil and *punish* evil-doers.
You have the wrong perspective because you don’t fully realize the fallen nature of creation itself, man’s place in the universe (to glorify GOD in his mercy and justice), and that GOD doesn’t operate according to your time table but according to HIS preordained plan. GOD has already punished all sin in all its forms. The legitimate use of govt. isn’t divine vengeance upon evil doers as you’d like it to be used. It is to protect our rights from being infringed upon by others through fraud or force. Any other use, ESPECIALLY in the name of religion only leads to tyranny, i.e. Taliban.