Happy Dependence Day, no that is not a typo. Yes we are remembering our independence as a nation, an awesome day usually filled with celebrating. However this year will not be like other years. There will be no fireworks (at least the legal big show kind), no big group BBQs, no parades…. Sad but our current reality.
Never the less there is still something we should be celebrating, Dependence on the creator of all things for there is one king and two kingdoms.
I can hear the questions now, what is he talking about? Even if you are ‘churched’ and have heard this phrase, it is still a confusing statement. Let’s look into this a bit more as ci think this is important in light of the struggles of today.
God is the creator of all things (a future discussion) He grants us a choice, free will, of following Him or things of this world. The basis for the two kingdoms. First, is Him, his church, his kingdom. Then ‘this world’ which is everything outside of his church. Let’s look at that ‘kingdom’ first. This is the rest of His creation, the secular world if you will, also noted as the kingdom of the left. Included in this is earthly governments which God establishes. See Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
We may not like, agree with or understand earthly rule but unless they blatantly contradict God’s word (will) we are to live under that rule. Another biblical reference would be Matthew 22:17-21
Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.”
We are God’s children so we should render / surrender our lives to God’s care. When one of our mechanical devices is acting up we turn it over to the care of the manufacturer (or a trained service provider) for service or repair. This in a sense is the church, the sacred world or the kingdom of the right. God as the One King, establishes and rules over both kingdoms, right & left, sacred & secular, His Church and civic governments.
I acknowledge the paradox, the confusion and the complexity of this doctrine but know this: God is in control, God’s got this whole world in his hands. Are you trusting in his rule or are you surrendering to the things of this world? They are under his rule as well, but our faith and trust should be in the creator, the provider of all things rather than the things themselves.
We are redeemed sons and daughters of the King of creation! Let’s live as we are!
Come by either our physical site (5080 Kingsley, Montclair, Ca,) Sundays @ 10am or visit us at www.tlcmontclair.org any time and get filled up on God’s hope.
Trinity, your Sacred service Station
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