Wednesday is Veterans Day and we will thankfully remember those who gave their lives so we can enjoy freedom in the United States of America. Many of us will put our flags out on our homes that day.
We daily live in two kingdoms. We are living in the kingdom of this world and at the same time living in the kingdom of God.
What does this mean?
The kingdom of the world is sometimes called "the kingdom of the left hand." This includes the God-given gift of government and authorities in the civil realm. They are established by God for the common good.
God sets up this kingdom for "the authorities that exist have been established by God... he is God's servant to do you good... to bring punishment on the wrongdoer... they are God's servants who give their full time to governing." (Romans 13:1,4,6)
Thus the remembrance of Veterans Day is part of the kingdom of this world. In this we have been blessed with peace, justice and freedom because of the sacrifices of countless thousands who have died in defense of our country. For this we give God and these veterans our humble and hearty thanks.
The kingdom of God is sometimes called "the kingdom of the right hand." This includes the God-given gift of the church and its proclamation of the Gospel in the spiritual realm. Pastors, teachers and congregations are appointed also for the common good.
God plants his kingdom through the seed of his word scattered on the field of this world, so that it "grows... with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade." (Mark 4:32)
In the kingdom of God we have been blessed with eternal peace, justice and freedom because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. He died and rose as a substitute for all the sinners in the world. For this we give God the Father, his son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit our humble and hearty thanks.
In the interactions with our neighbors in our community and in the divine services at our churches on Sunday, we rejoice that we are living in two kingdoms at the same time.
Religion
The two kingdoms
- Religion
-
-
Norman church sends work, witness team to Belize
For eight days, 23 members of the Norman Community Church of the Nazarene built more than pews for a church in Belize, they also built friendships....
-
Church to participate in National Preach-In on Global Warming
Unity Church in Norman, 3001 S. Berry Road, will take part in the National Preach-In on Global Warming, from today until Sunday. The church will join more than 1,000 others participating nationwide in the third annual event, which is ...
-
The heart behind Trinity Lutheran School
Cheryl Anderson sees every day the power that education and faith can have on children. As administrator of Trinity Lutheran School and Childcare, Anderson is so passionate about the school that she is anxious to get the word out about ...
-
Holy Ascension Orthodox Christian Church plans open house Saturday
Holy Ascension Orthodox Christian Church is inviting Norman residents to an open house from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday at 3350 12th Ave. NE....
-
Church briefs
St. Joseph’s to celebrate Mardi Gras St. Joseph’s Catholic Church will host its annual Mardi Gras celebration from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. on Feb. 18 in the parish center gymnasium, 421 E. Acres St. A New Orleans menu of pork shoulder, Cajun ...
-
Something is in the air
Reports of snow in the air are circulating as we prepare for this weekend. The weather forecasts are predicting snow by Sunday evening and our children (and their teachers) are dreaming of a snow day on Monday. Ahhhh, but something else is ...
-
Religion roundup
Church-wide garage sale Saturday St. Joseph Catholic Church will hold a church-wide garage sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Parish Center Gymnasium, 421 E. Acres St....
-
Relics of Saints to be installed at Our Lady of Lebanon
A local Catholic parish will celebrate the installation of relics on the feast day of its patron saint, Sunday....
-
Mondays can be revolutionary
Mondays are so hard, right? Ever felt the Monday morning blues? Many a song has been written about this challenging day. Who can forget the melodious voice of Karen Carpenter singing “Hangin’ around, nothing to do but frown; rainy days ...
-
What is the best way for people to live their faith?
Heart, soul, might Rabbi Mark Levin of Congregation Beth Torah, Overland Park, Kan.: Faith is the love and service of God. Deuteronomy 6:5 commands us to love God with all our “heart, soul and might.” Each person balances them differently, ...
- More Religion Headlines
-
