I don’t know if it’s a product of laziness or rebellion or a fierce desire to be independent or simply a longing just to get things done as quickly as possible. Whatever the case, we have a tendency not to follow directions.

There’s a new swear word in American English and it starts with an E. It’s those big red letters on the advertisement urging us to buy impulsively; it’s the snooty nose of a prideful country club member; it’s the reason for the teen’s tears who finds herself on the outside of the clique.

John asks you to see, through Christ, what you really are, and to look forward to that day when you will see him as he really is. Because if you see his reality, you see things as they really are.

“Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” In that one, single sentence, as simple as it is profound, Jesus gives us the key to distinguishing church and state, to living as a citizen of two kingdoms.