18-19 Jesus knew they were up to no good. He said, “Why are you playing these games with me? Why are you trying to trap me? Do you have a coin? Let me see it.” They handed him a silver piece.
20 “This engraving—who does it look like? And whose name is on it?”
21 They said, “Caesar.”
“Then give Caesar what is his, and give God what is his.”
22 The Pharisees were speechless. They went off shaking their heads.
1-3 Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you’re irresponsible to the state, then you’re irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you’re trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear.
3-5 Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you’ll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you’re breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren’t there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That’s why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it’s the right way to live.
6-7 That’s also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
- Can it get it any more plain that this.
Our faith is the Kingdom of heaven being establish in the earth by way of our hearts does not remove us from our responsibilities on earth. Nay our heavenly citizenship calls on us to stand for justice, kindness and mercy. The kingdom value as stipulated by the fruits of the spirit are for the purpose of communion with each other and the demonstration of God's goodness to mankind.
The purpose of this broadcast is it spur you to consider your level of involvement as it pertain fulfilling the biblical mandate of civic responsibility. What I am not saying is that you need to be political activists or need to march. But the bar starts at participation and I want you prayerful consider how might you MORE present.
No doubt our times are calling for the body of Christ to take its place to defend the weak and care for the poor. This is the time for us as people to engage this system as we should have from the beginning. Someone of us within community may have always been on this page...these are the people we should be looking to move forward.
WHATS THE MOVE - Say it with your VOTE.
Every two years is an opportunity to engaged our rights as citizens to express ourselves on the local and federal level. The lionshare of the polices that affect our communities and what we see in the news are local issues...not national. It is therefore on us to engage everything from the basic of city council meetings to watching C Span for whats happening with congress and become familiar with our legislation. The effort of transparency given to us by the government is ISSUES...these are point of contact between the need of people and how the government intends to address it, which usually results in ordinances and laws.
If we only vote in this upcoming presidential election which we MUST, we will only be exercising 1/4 of what it means to be a citizen. The biggest failure during Obama administration was out lack of participation in the year in between his campaign. He able to achieve alot , but think about how much more he could have gotten done if we all would have kept that same energy mid year.
The move is educate ourselves and get in the know and vote according to your beliefs. The major check in power in our governmental system is our right to vote. So I am encouraging you engage your rights in every part that you can so that your voice is reflect in the vote.
DISCLAIMER
It is is my personal belief that the African american community has a set of issue that is unique to us that do not involve the american populace as a whole given our history in this country. To that end it is my belief that we should be seeking a reasonably unified agenda among our various community members and not allow the intersectionality our issues to cloud what we need as people to close the gaps that have been created by antebellum slavery. Policing, Education, Prison Reform, Re entry programs, institutional racism, reparations and gentrification to say the least.
If we are able to come to consensus on these issues and unify we can and will make noise. This is an ongoing internal work that we must be aware of and engaged actively that is if we want to be better.
My warning is this...100% participate is ideal but not required. Jesus had squabbles between his own disciples but it did not stop Jesus from doing the will of the Father. Kingdom numbers work even in a world context....2 or 3 gathered in his name. We neednt worry about those people who wont get on board..work with the people who will and leave the door open for the late comers.
STEP ONE - Register to Vote.
- Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
- The deadline to register online to vote is Monday, October 5, 2020.
- The deadline for registering by mail to vote is (postmarked by) Monday, October 5, 2020.
- The deadline to register in person to vote is Monday, October 5, 2020.
- The deadline to request a ballot by mail is (received by) Saturday, October 31, 2020.
- The early voting period runs from Tuesday, October 6, 2020 to Monday, November 2, 2020, but dates and hours may vary based on where you live.
STEP TWO - Find your Polling Location consistent with your choice to vote.
Early Voting - If you are registered to vote you can early vote Cleveland at the Board of Elections starting on Oct 6th 2020.
Voting Locations and Information - https://www.ohiosos.gov/elections/voters/
You can use this site to find your polling location and your options.
Most state sites have this information be diligent and find it...I found mine through google search.
STEP THREE - Make a plan.
A lot of the things can get in the way of voting but it is very important that you make time for what you want.
My plan is simple, reach out to my employer find out if they offer time off to vote. Tell them I intend to vote early the day I intend doing so.
I am going to set a reminder and post picture on my social media.
STEP FOUR - Engage your circle.
Someone people are particular about discussing politics the conversation around this topic should be questions not statements.
Lets lead with questions like " What is your biggest concern with our election?" " Where do you stand on defunding the police?" " What has surprised you the most about this year when it comes to our government?",
Questions tend to drive conversation and if we are in the conversation we can inform it....we cannot be removed and speak to what it is in that sense. Come out from among them and be separate does not apply this conversation.
I urge you to collaborate with local assemblies in whatever effort they intends to engage in.
Church of God is Christ is sponsoring the registration initiative called souls to the polls. They are emphasizing the need to register before the deadline. There is no consequence in re registering ...we are making a statement to the government as the people that we are going to actively engage the political process to meet the needs of the people it intends to serve.
THERE IT IS
Say it with your vote....your voice matters so say it with your vote!
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