My perception is, the only man ever able to live that good a life, was crucified for it, by the very people who were supposed to be doing it. The religious leaders of the day were the ones who turned Jesus over to the croud, with shouts of "crucify him" ringing in their ears.

Consequently, having shunned the only recorded example of perfect moral behaviour, we have a long way to go, as regards telling others how to live morally.

I have a problem with even entertaining the idea of letting "church people" loose with the power of government. Self-righteousness is a very heady wine, tending to make those in power, inebriated, intoxicated, drunk.

And like all drunkards, they will be in denial, dis-associating themselves from all the evils which come from allowing such a course of action. Man will most certainly have a tendency to consider "self" as some sort of standard, suitable for public consumption, and even though he may have a bit of decency in his life, certainly can not speak for God.

Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that God used to speak to man theough the prophets, but now speaks to us by his son. However, the very Son of God, himself, turned down the offer, when given to him, of all the governments (kingdoms) of the earth, upon the occasion of the temptation in the desert.

Mat 4:8-10 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Jesus shows not only the proper attitude toward such a concept, he also shows the true source of such. It was the Devil, Satan, who first dreamed up the idea, and his offer was immediately inspected, corrected and rejected.

10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Paul warned the first century Christians, in his letter to Ephesus, that from among their own group of elders, men would arise, behaving like wolves, not sparing the flock of God. This subsequently resulted in havoc within the church.

The "denominational" mind set is an example of such "setting up" of men above other men. Perceptions of some how "knowing better," what is good for others, has elevated men in the ranks of perceived "Christianity." It is falsely so-called. Christ never would have promoted the concept.

Paul wrote to Titus about men who set themselves as above Christ's laws; Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Jesus told the disciples they were to DENY, not PROMOTE self; Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Look at how Jesus handled the situation, upon the occasion of James and John's attempt at self-promotion. Mark 10:35 And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. 36 And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? 37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

Jesus points out their lack of qualifications. He showed that one would have to be crucified and die, and rise again from the dead, to hold such an elevated position among the ranks of his kingdom, (which is his church); 38 But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? Not knowing any better, they claimed to be able to thus qualify. Jesus agrees that they shall suffer death for the cause, (but then they cannot rule among men in this world). Mark 10:39 And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: Jesus then points out to them, it is not his to give in the first place. All who set themselves up, in Christ's name, fail to see this point. Only the Father has that right, and he clearly says that he speaks to us through his son. (Heb 1:2)(God... hath in these last days spoken unto us by his son...) and it is his son who disclaims the concept of "Lordship" over the church, by men from among men.

Then follows the natural course of events, which is typical today among church leaders; Mark 10:41 And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John.

Jesus procedes to chow them the natural heirarchy of rule established among men; Mark 10:42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But Jesus has also established the fact that his kingdom is not like the kingdoms of men; In John 18:36 Jesus told Pilate "My kingdom is NOT OF THIS WORLD,"

And denies that it is to be so for his church: Mark 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

Jesus finishes with the ultimate argument; Mark 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

No man is fit to lead other men, insofar as "lording" it over the flock of God. For then must he be put to death, and rise again therefrom, to qualify; and that has already been done by one who was perfect. It cannot be duplicated by imperfection. and why would we need it.

The church demonstrates by its very establishment of an heirarchy, that it is not fit to rule among nations, because it makes its own laws, and dows not follow the laws of God. and men are already good at that. We do not need the church to point the way. Let them clean up their own act, and then we may consider what they have to show us. Until they have something to show me, I do not care what they have to say. It has been said once for alltime by Jesus Christ, and their "voting" on it, will not change it.

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