Coffee With The Lord

Dual citizenship … That’s how it works for those who swear allegiance to “The Kingdom of Heaven” and also an earthly kingdom! And the reality is, for Christians, one trumps the other if there is a conflict of loyalty, values or “law.” And in that case, the “Kingdom of Heaven” (it’s laws and values) must win!.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I seek to be a good citizen of the United States! I pay my taxes, I vote, I obey it’s laws (insofar as they do not violate my “higher allegiance”)… and I pray fervently for our President (whoever he or she is), our Congress, Supreme Court, as well as state and local leaders. I seek to be a positive influence and contributor within my nation, my community and my neighborhood. But my primary allegiance is to my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ (my Savior) the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of God’s word.

Which brings me to the purpose of this post today…

I’m concerned… I fear some of my Christian friends have lost sight of where their “primary allegiance” is to be placed. They seem to prioritize political solutions for the ills in society… they look to political leaders to function as their “messiah”… for legislation to deal decisively with fundamentally “sin” problems. All of those things have their place, and our influence as Christians should be felt, but ultimately, as a Christian, I am a member of “the Kingdom of Heaven” … that is my primary loyalty – and my primary accountability is to God!

It’s a tension I live with every day… dual citizenship!

That’s why what I read this morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” is so important to me…

Here’s my primary loyalty (or if “push comes to shove” as some say)… “Since I call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear! For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:17-19 ESV)

So, I purpose to do my best to be a “good citizen” of the United States (my country of physical origin)… but my PRIMARY LOYALTY is to the “Kingdom of Heaven” – my Heavenly Father, the Lord Jesus Christ (my Savior), the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and God’s Word.

Remember taking a “hard test” in school? This week in “Digging Deeper: Discovery Bible Study” via Zoom Webinar we’ll be “digging deep” in the Bible for “truth for life” from Abraham’s “Test” in Genesis 22. Don’t miss it – Tuesday, 3 p.m. CST (or whenever is convenient… each study is recorded)!!! Register and log on at: https://bibleengagementproject.com/diggingdeeper?fbclid=IwAR0GI4STwPyODUZD_HKUUaI6dYd1lHLMzTGNXl4FJ4lCpgraG0m5JiGWSYU

Are you frightened… concerned… worried about the condition of things – how they will end up?  You see disaster and judgment on the horizon and are frankly alarmed. 

If you have placed your life in God’s hands – if you are trusting Him and seeking to honor and please Him, let me be a voice for the Lord that whispers in your ear today… There is hope!  He is in control!  God is not wringing His hands!

I read about it this morning in Zephaniah’s prophecy.  In His time, Zephaniah spoke prophetically to both the righteous and unrighteous in Jerusalem!  But the truth that he declared applies to us today in our world…

First of all, God warned the unrighteous of coming judgment…

“Woe to the oppressors rebellious and defiled.  They obey no one, they accept no correction.  They do not trust in the Lord – they do not draw near to God… officials, rulers, prophets and priests!  The whole world will be consumed by the fire of My jealous anger!”

But Zephaniah affirmed… “The Lord is righteous!  He does no wrong.  Morning by morning He dispenses justice!  Every new day He does not fail!”

Then Zephaniah spoke God’s word of hope to the “righteous remnant” of his time…

^“I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the Lord!  Those who are left shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue…None shall make them afraid.

^“Sing aloud…Rejoice and exult with all your heart! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.!  The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil!  On that day it shall be said: ‘Fear not!  Let not your hands grow weak!  The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing!’”

This was a reliable word in Zephaniah’s time… It can be depended upon for our time as well!  There is hope!  God is still in control!  Take heart!

(Taken from Zephaniah 3)