I recall so many hymns from my childhood, but the chorus from one rings through my mind often, these days. “I love to tell the story. Will be my theme in glory; to tell the old, old story or Jesus and His love. . .” Since this plandemic shut down America in March of 2020, my bi-vocational work has changed, and I now travel an average of a dozen states a month. In my travels, I not only marvel at the wondrous creations God produced at the speaking of His words, but I also marvel at how a nation of people, for over 200 years, has garnered those resources and built upon them to create the most successful culture since the dawn of time. Albeit, until recently, this nation claimed and stood on principles and values based on biblical foundations.
Please hear me, I am a citizen of the unshakable Kingdom which has no end, so expressing my concerns or disappointments with current conditions in this nation, is not a clarion call for citizens to fear or revolt in godless behavior. Nonetheless, as not only an eternal citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, but as well a rightful and legal citizen of the United States of America, my travels have caused me to ponder more deeply the value of my dual citizenship. My ponderings have given me pause to ask a few questions of you, regarding your citizenry. As mentioned, this hymn from my childhood seems lately to be a constant reminder that I must, you must, if you are as well a child of God, value and share the truth of the story of our great rescue – a redemption which garnered our eternal citizenship. Just as we’ve taken for granted that all things America will always be, I’m seeing signs as I travel that we as Believers in Christ have assumed on much for too long.
“Going to church” is a right which may well be challenged in the days to come. Speaking of Christ’s offer to rescue one from death and exchange eternal damnation for eternal life may soon become cause for imprisonment, fines, and multitudinous forms of persecution. All the while, from knowing scriptures are emblazoned on public buildings, to certain standards of living being taken for granted as the moral base by which all would choose to live, we who claim this eternal citizenship may have languished far too long in the comfort of our stained-glass edifices, again, assuming that American faith/freedom would always be as we’ve known.
In keeping with a mindset of assuming on citizenship, I fear that we as Americans have done the same. I cannot tell you how, as I travel, I marvel at the minds responsible for the historical development of this great nation. From the amazing infrastructure of our economy through free enterprise, to the advanced supply chain processes which keep shelves full in the shopping locations we favor and frequent, what wise and responsible people have built in the past 200 years is beyond comparison, anywhere on the planet. Yet, a declining moral fabric, a lack of qualified leadership, and a large segment of the population refusing to own personal responsibility for anything, have us watching the dismantling of this, the greatest nation in history. Likewise, with pastors leaving the call to ministry in record numbers, people of faith placing their Christian values in a lower place of priority and a social wind blowing in the darkness of compromise, immorality, and untruth, these are times in which we must evaluate. How deeply do you value your citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven? Do you have citizenship which ensures eternal life, or do you simply have a standing seat in a local building which promotes nothing more than religious rituals? What about your U.S. Citizenship do you truly value? How are you working to protect and defend both of these amazing opportunities to live, one on earth, and one for all time? Friends, each Thursday on my FB page (Bro Royce) I share a live podcast of encouragement, hope, and inspiration – Front Line Focus . . . with B R. In this monthly op-ed I share thought-provoking truth. Each Sunday, I share foundational truths from God’s Word. Still in all, greater engagement is a must! It is my hope that you will join me, not only through these forms of media, but join me in declaring the glorious riches of the citizenships we hold dear. There is a desperate world around us, grasping for a lifeline as they live in a culture without understanding or foundation. Let’s not allow the darkness of silence to rob us of blessings which were rightly endued to us by the God who created both this life and the one to come.
Rev. Royce R. Lott, Jr. is the senior pastor of FBC Satartia – all comments should be directed to broroyce1@gmail.com
Front Line Travel's latest video can be found at https://vimeo.com/598263337
