CITIZENSHIP
CITIZENSHIP IN EARTHLY KINGDOMS
WHAT KIND OF EARTHLY CITIZENS DOES GOD EXPECT US TO BE?
BIBLE READING: Matthew 17:24-27
KEY BIBLE VERSE: However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a coin. Take the coin and pay the tax for both of us. (Matthew 17:27)
CHRISTIANS ARE REQUIRED TO BE RESPONSIBLE EARTHLY CITIZENS.
As God’s people, we are foreigners on earth because our real home is in heaven. Still we have to cooperate with the authorities and be responsible citizens. An ambassador to another country keeps the local laws in order to represent well the one who sent him. We are Christ’s ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Are you being a good foreign ambassador for him to this world?
BIBLE READING: Romans 13:1-14
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. (Romans 13:1)
CHRISTIANS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THEIR EARTHLY CITIZENSHIP VERY SERIOUSLY.
Christians understand Romans 13 in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. For hundreds of years, however, there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this.
(1) Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. Although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote, or serve in the military.
(2) Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. They should not, however, confuse the two. In this view, church and state are concerned with two totally different spheres-the spiritual and the physical-and thus complement each other but do not work together.
(3) Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically, by electing Christian or other high-principled leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all.
None of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government’s laws or regulations unless they clearly require you to violate the moral standards revealed by God. Wherever we find ourselves we must be responsible citizens as well as responsible Christians.
CITIZENSHIP IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BEING A CITIZEN OF GOD’S KINGDOM?
BIBLE READING: Revelation 21:15-27
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Nothing evil will be allowed to enter-no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty-but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. (Revelation 21:27)
CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM BRINGS ETERNAL BENEFITS.
Not everyone will be allowed into the new Jerusalem, “only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.” Don’t think that you will get in because of your background, personality, or good behavior. Eternal life is available to you only because of what Jesus, the Lamb, has done. Trust him today to secure your citizenship in his new creation.
BIBLE READING: Colossians 1:1-14
KEY BIBLE VERSE: For he has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness, and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. God has purchased our freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins. (Colossians 1:13-14)
CITIZENSHIP IN GOD’S KINGDOM BRINGS IMMEDIATE BENEFITS.
Paul lists five benefits God gives all believers through Christ: (1) he made us qualified to share his inheritance (see also 2 Corinthians 5:21); (2) he rescued us from Satan’s dominion of darkness and made us his children (see also 2:15); (3) he brought us into his eternal kingdom (see also Ephesians 1:5-6); (4) he redeemed us-bought our freedom from sin and judgment (see also Hebrews 9:12); and (5) he forgave all our sins (see also Ephesians 1:7). Thank God for what you have received in Christ.