"DUAL CITIZENSHIP"

July 5                 “DUAL CITIZENSHIP”       Matthew 22:15-22

Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Then the Pharisees went and plotted together how they might trap Him in what He said. And they sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and defer to no one; for You are not partial to any. Tell us then, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their malice, and said, "Why are you testing Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the coin used for paying the tax." And they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is this?" They said to Him, "Caesar’s." Then He said to them, "Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s." "And hearing this, they were amazed, and leaving Him, they went away." (Matthew 22:15-22) (Just a note of information – My parents would be celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary today, had they lived)… Regardless of where, we as Christians live, we have, at least, dual citizenship. In some circumstances multiple citizenships. For most of us, we are citizens of our mother country, and, as children of God, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. We are physically born into one and spiritually born into the other. For those of us who are citizens of the United States and have been born from above, we are doubly blessed. Let us consider both of our citizenships. WE ARE GREATLY BLESSED TO BE CITIZENS OF THE U.S. In spite of her grievous shortcomings, this is still the greatest nation on earth! The blessings that are ours, as citizens of the United States, overwhelming outweigh the negatives that we could list. Let us diligently work to correct any deficiency or wrongs that we may find. Exercising the constitutional right of the free ballot is the best way for us to right, any wrong, we perceive. OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS U.S. CITIZENS is to obey and support our governing authorities. Titus 3:1 tells us to, “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work.”  If Paul instructed the Christians of Rome to obey the laws of the Roman government and to “be in subjection” to the rule of its murderous Caesar, how much more would the Apostle instruct us to obey the laws of our country and honor our leaders, even when we disagree with them.  We are to Pay our just taxes.  “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” Romans 13:6-7…We may not agree with the existing tax code and we may question how our tax money is spent, but God’s Word instructs us to pay them nonetheless.  We are to Pray for our nation and its leaders. Fervent prayer to God for our nation and its leaders will accomplish more than all the petitions we can write or demonstrations we can organize. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16.
EVEN THOUGH, WE HAVE ARE BLESSED TO BE A “CITIZEN” OF THE USA, THE GREATEST BLESSING OF ALL IS TO BE A “CITIZEN” OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. We have been…Chosen and Called and Changed and Commissioned and Charged! Note: WE NEED TO ACT LIKE IT!! While we, as Christians, rejoice in the unceasing victory and joy we find in our faith, let us continually pray that our nation will turn again to the God of our forefathers. Samuel Cole in his poem “Washington at Valley Forge” tells us how this strength can be found. “The sun went down o’er Valley Forge.  In the cheerless wintry air; Day after day the sun went down, And no man seemed to care; For day and night alike were fraught With suffering and disease --- Yet one man rose, when the camp was still, And went out under the trees. His heart was heavy, his burden great; He thought of his hungry men; He thought of the torn, distracted land that longed for peace again. And then he knelt and prayed --- but not to the gods of wood and stone; He prayed to the God of truth and right, there under the trees alone. The stars seemed nearer than before: A friendlier light they shed; Great branches like protecting arms were stretched above his head; Something the spirit of earth and air whispered in gentle tone --- As the father of his country knelt there under the trees alone. When morning came, and, as he won’t, He passed from place to place, they wondered at the look serene they saw upon his face.” “What keeps the General’s courage up in doleful days like these?” They asked, because they did not know what happened under the trees.”  Prayer is essential for our survival and I love what Alfred, Lord Tennyson said, in his immortal words, “More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.”  I am excited to be a citizen of the USA, and I am grateful to be a citizen of the KINGDOM!  I am praying to my God that I will be a productive citizen of both!  What God does with you, depends upon what you do!  It Always has; It Always will!! Be sure, be productive and continue to share the Love of God with others!  To God Be the Glory!  Stay Strong, Stay Focused…Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!!