Image source: Preacher Study Blog
Despite that I devote little attention to news and political matters, I’ve ventured into a few social media exchanges during the just-concluded presidential campaign and since President Trump took office. I’ve also deleted or edited some comments here and there that didn’t feel right later on.
Immigration is one of those issues on everyone’s radar. For all the problems in America, plenty of people desire to live in the freedom that United States citizenship affords.
Freedom of speech may be one of the most valued freedom American citizens enjoy. While America allows expression with minimal risk of repercussion, freedom of speech can easily get us into serious trouble with anyone in the range of our voice especially when our speaking platform is social media.
As someone who writes into this media, I know firsthand that some of the views expressed here have riled up a few people. My intention with Road Report is draw from personal experiences to share what I hear God is saying in and through me.
I am grateful to be able to share my perspective this way thanks to the freedom afforded me as a citizen of the United States of America. However, by drawing God into the center of these messages, my citizenship in his kingdom is also very much in play. Lately I notice more contention between these kingdoms of my dual citizenship.
Perhaps the dilemma is due to that the manner and conduct of the kingdom of God is often not in concert with the manner and conduct of the kingdom of America that is part of the greater kingdom of the world. Read Jesus’ beatitudes to see how people of God’s kingdom are.
Besides the beatitudes, the Bible has much to say about this dual citizenship believers in God and Christ. Here’s how St. Peter frames this dilemma believers face:
“Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ”
Jesus claimed to be king of a kingdom not of this world. (see John 18:36, NIV). People gain citizenship in the kingdom of God when they are “born again” – adopted into a new family and citizenship that is ruled by God.
It sounds simple enough but unlike towns and neighborhoods where we live out our mortal lives, God’s kingdom is invisible and we Christians have no visual features or language that readily identifies us as “temporary residents and foreigners.” So how should Christians approach this dual citizenship?
Peter continues with some practical guidance: Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. (1 Peter 2: 11b-12, NLT)
- keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very soul (v11b)
- live properly among unbelieving neighbors (v12a)
- behavior honorably (v12b)
- don’t judge (v12c)
The big question regards whether our citizenship in God’s kingdom is as noticeable as (say) an immigrant’s native accent reflects his/her Spanish-ness or Middle Eastern-ness or Asian-ness? What should an accent resonating the kingdom of God sound like?
Notes
- Referring to believers as “temporary residents” is noted elsewhere in Scripture (such as Genesis 23:4, Leviticus 25:23, Philippians 3:20 and Hebrews 11:13). (Biblegateway link in NIV)
- What does ‘Born Again Christian’ mean?