1.21 blog

This Sunday pastor Stephen preached on our dual citizenship in the city of man and the City of God. He made the point that in the city of man the operating principle is “your life to benefit me,” while in the City of God, the operating on the principle “my life to benefit you.”

I was thinking about how widely spread our devotion to the ways of the city of man is. We allow good things, like our safety or the safety of our families to lead us to buy into the logic of oppression, violence, and manipulation that dominates the city of man. One example especially came to mind.

Remember a few years ago, when we discovered that there was lead, or various other bad things in products coming from China? We realized, “Hey, these products are unsafe for us or our children.” And we launched a movement to not buy products from China. But we weren’t troubled by China’s oppression of Tibet, or the country’s general disregard for human rights, or the fact that many of the products in question were being assembled in sweatshops, probably by child labor. We were concerned about our own safety and wellbeing, but completely unconcerned by the safety and wellbeing of others.

I’m not saying either that we should buy or not buy Chinese products. That’s not the church’s purpose. But I am saying that when we look at this situation, we see how pervasively we’ve bought into the principles of the city of man. If you think about it, I’m sure you’ll see other examples of this mindset.

But the reason that the City of God is able to function on the principle of “my life to benefit you,” rather than the other way around, is that the Founder of that City, Jesus gave his life for our benefit. He ignored his own comfort and safety, he went to the rough part of the neighborhood, and its violence cost him his life. He died for his enemies so that they could be reconciled to him and his Father. He died for us so that we could become citizens of the Heavenly City, and live out its principles in our life.

We will only be able to do this when our True citizenship becomes real to us, and the price Jesus paid for us grips our hearts and leads us to give of ourselves.

Winston-Salem is in desparate need of healing, redemption, and restoration. This will not happen if we do not spend ourselves for its wellbeing. So, today, look to Jesus, worship him. Thank him for his life for you, and then offer yourself, and your life for our city.

Posted by: Gene Schlesinger