In our last meeting we talked about our earthly citizenship as Americans. In this session we will probe the dual citizenship of Christians. Christians everywhere have a dual citizenship. They are both a citizen of their earthly country and a citizen of heaven.
We become citizens of America by our physical birth or by the act of naturalization. Christians, thank God, have another greater citizenship, that of heaven. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.†Philippians 3:20 Paul reminded the Philippian Christians that even as citizens of Philippi their true “conversation†(citizenship) was in heaven.
We Christians in America can ever rejoice while we live our earthly citizenship because we simultaneously are citizens of heaven. When we leave our earthly citizenship we instantly enter our eternal heavenly citizenship. Those who possess only an earthly citizenship do not have that promise or possibility.
We must not forget that behind the governments of this world there is an invisible, sinister power, Satan. Earthly citizens, the lost population, are really subjects of Satan. The Bible declares him as the “god of this world.†II Corinthians 4:4 That is why Satan could offer Jesus the kingdoms of this world when he tempted Him. See Matthew Chapter 4 One day Satan will be deposed and Jesus Christ will be enthroned as the sole Ruler of the world.
As citizens of heaven Christians are governed by a Theocracy – God rules. The Word of God is our constitution, if I may so casually say. Our heavenly constitution supersedes America’s constitution. Earthly governments are becoming more belligerent toward God, Christ and Christians. If they should order us to act against God we are first bound to obey our heavenly government, God, Christ and their Word.
Earthly citizens are obliged to obey the laws of their land. Christians are bound to obey the laws of their land and the laws of God. That should not be a problem because if we obey God we will obey our earthly government. There is one exception to this. America’s anti-God, anti-Christ and anti-Christianity stance is strengthening every day. They continually maneuver to muzzle Christians from speaking the truth. We must not yield to their demands and threats just as Peter and the disciples did not. See Acts Chapter 5
Citizens of earthly countries seldom if ever experience peace in their land nor do they feel safe anymore as a result of unstable civil conditions around the world. Even so, Christian citizens can have peace no matter what goes on around them. Where does this peace come from? Our Savior Jesus Christ.
Here is what Jesus said to His disciples while on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane the night He was taken captive. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let it be afraid.†John 14:27
Jesus wants His peace to dwell in the hearts of Christian citizens. We have no reason to be hopelessly troubled. We just need to keep our minds on Jesus and what is waiting for us when He returns.
Tomorrow we will continue our thoughts on the dual citizenship of Christians. Until them may GOD BLESS YOU