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The New Testament writers speak of two kingdoms and explain that Jesus has called his followers out of the kingdom of this world. 1 Peter 2:9 states “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Jesus declares in John 18:36 “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
As Christians we pray in the Lord’s Prayer “Thy Kingdom come.” It is time that we start looking to this Kingdom and pursing the aims of the Kingdom of God rather than allowing the kingdom of this world, the kingdom of darkness, to set the agenda.
Jesus declares in John 18:36 “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”
As Christians we pray in the Lord’s Prayer “Thy Kingdom come.” It is time that we start looking to this Kingdom and pursing the aims of the Kingdom of God rather than allowing the kingdom of this world, the kingdom of darkness, to set the agenda.
Authority
Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died in our place to satisfy God’s judgment on our sin. By so doing he has restored us to a right relationship with God. We look to our Savior Jesus as the guide, the leader and the ultimate authority in our lives. We pray in the Lord’s Prayer that God’s will be done in our lives and we seek to daily die to the old self and rise to newness of life in Christ, attempting to better model our life after his example. Scripture is clear that God is to be second to no one in regard to our allegiance.
One of the most pervasive effects of the 9/11 attacks has been to completely displace this primary allegiance to God and devote it wholly into the hands of the state. This is true not just for the general public, but unfortunately for scores of Christians as well, even though many are not aware of it.
One of the societal traits that has developed after the attacks that made this possible has been a redefinition of patriotism and the elevation of patriotism to one of the highest social ideals. Patriotism, instead of simply love of country, now means unquestioning loyalty to the state. It is not “politically correct” to raise questions about 9/11 or the government's role “because the government says so.” They, on their own authority, determine what can and cannot be said. The government is in charge and it is now the role of the citizen to accept whatever it decrees as “the gospel truth.” In their vision of the world things now work like this: The government's mouthpiece, the major media, will tell you what to think. When it says we must launch a war and kill people, you will accept it and believe that it is the right thing to do. We are to put our trust in the state, and the state will provide for us. The state will define for us what is true.
One may certainly debate whether questioning the government is unpatriotic. It is often said that “dissent is the highest form of patriotism” as it is the processes of open discussion and debate that help people to discern the truth. However, whether it is patriotic or not simply has no relevance for a Christian. The question is really is it right or wrong? Does it further God’s purposes or is it set against it?
One of the societal traits that has developed after the attacks that made this possible has been a redefinition of patriotism and the elevation of patriotism to one of the highest social ideals. Patriotism, instead of simply love of country, now means unquestioning loyalty to the state. It is not “politically correct” to raise questions about 9/11 or the government's role “because the government says so.” They, on their own authority, determine what can and cannot be said. The government is in charge and it is now the role of the citizen to accept whatever it decrees as “the gospel truth.” In their vision of the world things now work like this: The government's mouthpiece, the major media, will tell you what to think. When it says we must launch a war and kill people, you will accept it and believe that it is the right thing to do. We are to put our trust in the state, and the state will provide for us. The state will define for us what is true.
One may certainly debate whether questioning the government is unpatriotic. It is often said that “dissent is the highest form of patriotism” as it is the processes of open discussion and debate that help people to discern the truth. However, whether it is patriotic or not simply has no relevance for a Christian. The question is really is it right or wrong? Does it further God’s purposes or is it set against it?
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