Sunday Thoughts: Prudence in the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man

Without exception, all us have dual citizenships, members of two kingdoms. We are citizens of the Philippines (or whatever country you've sworn allegiance to). That's the kingdom of man. The other is the Kingdom of God. In both kingdoms, there are those who swear allegiance to the ruler and there are those who reject the ruler.

Let me share with you some thoughts about that:

1. Like the two faces of a coin, we have a face to show to both kingdoms. These faces are imprinted on the same coin ... on the same person - you, me, he, she. Whatever a person does in either kingdom always speaks about the character of that very same single person.


2. We have responsibilities to fulfil in both kingdoms, from observing its laws, to paying taxes and giving respect to their respective rulers. When Jesus faced Pilate who interrogated him, Jesus said, "You would have no power over me if it had not been given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has the greater sin." (John 19:11).

Nothing less in terms of humility and submission is expected from Christians, even in the face of the most murderous rulers ... and we have a long list of saints that testify to that.

The question now is, how do we submit ourselves to the ruler of the Kingdom of God? Do we show the same humility and submission?

3. There are inherent contradictions between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man. For one thing, the kingdom of man is temporal, and therefore short-lived and ever changing. It may be a monarchy, a dictatorship or a democratic one, but it is always ran by the power of laws.

The Kingdom of God is none of all that. It is eternal and unchanging. It is ran by the power of Love written in the hearts of its citizens. We all have to deal with these contradictions within ourselves. Whatever choices we make in each kingdom, we are accountable.

If a single act involves a choice between sinning in the Kingdom of God or violating the law of man, the choice you make is a measure of your prudence.

4. Prudence dictates that we must all strive to build a kingdom of man, a country, the Philippines, that's law-abiding, prosperous and able to protect itself. We strive for one, not just for ourselves, but also for our children and future generations.

The same prudence tells us that we, as individuals, live only 120 years at most. After that, what happens? When the temporal (our body) fades and only one side of the coin remains, how would that face look like? Is it acceptable to the Kingdom where it's facing towards? or deplorable?

That is a question we all have to deal with, sooner or later. Sooner is better.