In the second subject of the model prayer we encounter the phrase, "Your Kingdom come..." What does it mean for the Almighty's Kingdom to come? The first thing we take from the mention of kingdom is the kingship, or, kingliness of God. An American society seems not to cope with a king well. We love the right, the freedom, to vote and to feel like we take part in decisions made. We have some sense of control over our lives because we have a right to our own opinion. But this does not seem to fit into a kingly politic.
Do you ever stop to ask yourself where your allegiance lies? Have you ever thought about your worship as it relates to the Kingdom of God? If we were to juxtapose God's Kingdom with our earthly government we would realize that both demand allegiance. Both demand something from us. America has given us a contract that says our taxes buy us protection, some health care, and citizenship... God's Kingdom has offered a covenant. The covenant says that the Kingdom would send forth it's ambassador. The spotless Lamb. The Lamb would lay down His life, and take away the sin of the world. Free. No taxes. Citizenship in this Kingdom means we live an abundant life of magnification, service, and sacrifice. The great Love poured out through the Lamb demands devotion of our whole being. Small price to pay for the benefits of being a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
"Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all."
In our worship it is important to magnify the One God alone. Does the magnification of an earthly kingdom have any place in the Church's worship? We are citizens of two governments; earthly and heavenly. With which does our true allegiance lie? Render unto Caesar what is his. God wants our devotion though. God is jealous of His glory. He alone is worthy of it. Next time you approach the Throne in worship, think of yourself as a pilgrim on a journey home. You are here, you obey the laws of the land you are in, but your true allegiance lies with the King of glory. The Almighty. The One who was, is, and is to come.
Oh Lord, come quickly.
Grace and Peace,
Joel
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- joel winters
- I serve as worship pastor to Cedar Heights Church in Morgan, AR. While this blog is mostly about worship, it should be known that the views written here are not necessarily the same as those held by Cedar Heights Church.
4 comments:
Fantastic! This comment, Joel, is my first to you, so it encompasses all of your entries thus far. Your skill at articulating your message is remarkable. I will look forward to reading your blog for years to come! I love you, and I am proud of you!
John
question....
Is there any place in corporate Christian worship for the celebration of national holidays, like independence day, and memorial day? If so how do you explain this to Christians from other nations who have serious problems with America?
Does being loyal to our nation put itself in direct opposition of believers from other nations who suffer at the hand of our country?
I'm not a flaming liberal, i just have heard this question and think it is a good one.
I'm really enjoying your blog.
i texted you but i don't know if you get them...it said,
"we should smoke cigars, soon."
chris h
Nice snag on second last night....
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