Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.
We the people have instituted government to secure our natural, essential, inherent, indefeasible, and unalienable rights as its sole and only legitimate function. Every act of usurpation in the government, and consequently treason against the sovereignty of the people, occurs when public officials in a limited government go beyond the bounds that the constitution sets for their powers. Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.
Maxim of Law 51p. The main object of government is the protection and preservation of personal rights, private property, and public liberties, and upholding the law of God. American Maxim.
In Matthew 18:15-18, Jesus, provides guidance on how to handle such disputes. Here is the passage from the English Standard Version (ESV):
Matthew 18:15-18 (ESV):
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
Interpretation:
Private Reconciliation (Verses 15-16):
- Jesus advises a process of private reconciliation for conflicts within the Christian community. If someone has wronged you, the first step is to address the issue privately. The goal is to bring about repentance and reconciliation rather than public shame.
- You can write an informal letter or call them on the phone to let them know.
Witnesses (Verse 16):
- If the private confrontation does not lead to a resolution, Jesus suggests bringing one or two witnesses along. This serves to establish the facts and provide additional perspectives. The presence of witnesses underscores the seriousness of the matter.
- This is where you send a lawful notification letter to the person signed by two witnesses or by a jurat. A jurat is a type of verification or certification that is often used in legal documents, affidavits, or sworn statements. It involves a statement made by a person before a notary public or other authorized official, declaring that the contents of the document are true and correct. The person making the statement is required to sign the document in the presence of the notary public, who then completes the jurat by adding a certification that the oath or affirmation was administered.
Involvement of the Church (Verse 17):
- If the issue remains unresolved, it is to be brought before the entire church community. This step emphasizes the communal responsibility for maintaining peace and resolving disputes. The church becomes involved in the process of correction and restoration.
- In this particular case, we will create an affidavit and present it in court as evidence.