tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post3557989341055031659..comments2024-03-25T15:42:14.449-05:00Comments on Ministry and Music - Seeking the Old Paths: Free will voting?R. L. Vaughnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-72995975223298808922012-05-31T18:39:49.852-05:002012-05-31T18:39:49.852-05:00Yes, I agree. I was just making light of us Texans...Yes, I agree. I was just making light of us Texans. But on the serious side, if the primary had been much earlier I would be very surprised if Mitt Romney would have won. Many people have just resigned themselves to Mitt as the way to vote against Barack Obama.R. L. Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-58387996764142731412012-05-30T21:56:48.610-05:002012-05-30T21:56:48.610-05:00I think what the argument is that because our prim...I think what the argument is that because our primary was pushed so far back, that we had no chance to be a factor in getting a CONSERVATIVE candidate.Jonathan Meltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694832140058324532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-82584964901194351522012-05-30T17:19:58.636-05:002012-05-30T17:19:58.636-05:00I think it is ironic that a few months back we Tex...I think it is ironic that a few months back we Texans were complaining that this redistricting issue delaying our primaries was knocking us out of being a decisive factor in the Republican primary. But yesterday we had the distinct "honor" of "deciding" who would get enough delegates at the Republican convention. (How do you do a surprised and embarrassed "smiley face"??)R. L. Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-19893261287992601422012-05-30T17:17:41.963-05:002012-05-30T17:17:41.963-05:00An interesting text: 7 Render therefore to all the...An interesting text: <i>7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.</i><br /><br />Brother Melton, I think "dues" is explained in the rest of the text of verse 7 and 8 -- tax/tribute/custom, respect/fear/honour, and debt/owing. I'm not sure how much difference there is between tribute and custom -- different kinds of taxes I think. Matthew is described as receiving the latter kind of taxes.<br /><br />To your question, I'm not sure what you mean by "illegal governments". Do you mean the people in our government doing things that are unconstitutional? If so, I would say yes to the extent that it does not violate our obedience to God. For example, I think one could make a case that a federal income tax in oppressive and contrary to the spirit of the constitution, but I wouldn't withhold paying it based on such reasoning. Within our system, we have the right to try to get these things changed. But until we do so, we should follow government regulations that do not violate our obedience to God. So I can despise the concept of the government telling me that I must wear a seatbelt, but still wear one because it doesn't cause me to violate anything in the spiritual realm regarding obedience to God.<br /><br />Hope I'm addressing what you asking.R. L. Vaughnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992710377193518029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20166943.post-45097040930767648912012-05-30T13:05:50.498-05:002012-05-30T13:05:50.498-05:00It says in Romans 13:7 to "Render unto all th...It says in Romans 13:7 to "Render unto all their DUES." So does this mean that we are to follow illegal governments such as those that violate the Constitution or rights guaranteed by the Constitution?Jonathan Meltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09694832140058324532noreply@blogger.com