<p> Dual Identity: Citizen and Disciple of Jesus The Apostle Paul writing to the Christians in Rome: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)</p><p>The word of the LORD came to Zechariah, saying: Thus says the LORD of hosts: Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another; do not oppress the widow, the orphan, the alien, or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. (Zechariah 7.8-10)</p><p>As August ends and September begins, we enter ‘political season’ . . . A time when we will be inundated with countless news stories about candidates for local, state, and federal offices. And of course, the premiere contest will be between the Democratic and Republican candidates for president. Federal law prohibits churches and clergy [in the exercise of their office pastor] from endorsing a candidate for any office. To violate this portion of the tax code puts a church’s tax- exempt status at risk. Unfortunately, there are some clergy, congregations, and church bodies that have chosen to become involved in partisan politics by endorsing specific candidates. While this is a clearly illegal, we also encounter ‘religious’ political action committees. They are groups that purport to identify candidates who will support God’s political agenda for our nation. It always surprises me to when political parties claim that their political agendas is identical to God’s agenda for the Kingdom. With this as a guide, we have a dual identity: Citizen and Disciple. So how does one honor both of our identities? First, I believe that it is a responsibility of discipleship to take an active role in government. One of the ways this responsibility is exercised is by voting. In his letter to the Christian congregation in Rome, Paul reminds them that government is a gift from God, instituted, he argues later, for the good of all people. Paul could even make this statement under a form of government which included an emperor who claimed to be chosen by the gods of Rome. Contrary to what some political extremists argue, government is not inherently evil. In his discussion with the Pharisees about the image of Caesar on a Roman coin, Jesus sets the limits of governmental authority. There is a distinct line between that which is Caesar’s domain and that which is God’s. We are Christians first, then citizens. In our nation, God has blessed us by allowing us to choose our leaders. Therefore, government is what we make it . . . It is a reflection of who we are and it is our responsibility to do our part and vote. Second, I believe that one should vote with using primary criterion suggested by the prophets of old. The prophet Zechariah puts it succinctly that all governments are judged by their concern for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and the strangers [foreigners] in the land. Whether one political affiliation is Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, or Green, the prophetic critique must be applied to all candidates for office as well as their proposed programs. In the parable of the shepherd separating the sheep and goats in Matthew 25, Jesus includes this social mandate for those who would be his disciples: ‘TRULY, I TELL YOU, JUST AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE WHO ARE MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY, YOU DID IT TO ME.’ [Mt.25.25.40] Even though we are part of the world, there may be times when we must speak for the Kingdom of God, irrespective of the cost. Sometimes to speak for the Kingdom is to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. So how should we vote? The choice falls to those who hold dual citizenship . . . Disciple and Citizen. My only suggestion is that one look at how each candidate would deal with the powerless in our society. According to the prophets, this is the criterion by which God will judge our society. We need to elect men and women, be they politically liberal or conservative, who will govern with a sense of compassion. Vote on November 8th! </p><p>In Christ [☩] , Pastor Steve </p>