Independence Day is coming at the end of this week. It’s a fun holiday, isn’t it? Barbecues, family, friends, and fireworks. It’s a day that we celebrate all the good things about life in these United States. Sure, there’s some not so great things, too. As a follower of Christ, I don’t approve of every policy, law, or position that our government has perpetuated. I grieve over what much of our culture calls “good” and “evil”. But, I still celebrate on the Fourth of July…for all the good things God has brought about in our nation. He is always at work!
This year I’ve taken to reflecting on both my citizenship here in the U.S. as well as my citizenship in heaven. I even took time to read one or two thought-provoking articles about Christians, the church, and patriotism. As I’ve prepared to preach on Philippians 1:27-30—which contains concepts referenced in more detail in Philippians 3:20—the reality of my dual citizenship has come into view. Yes, I live on this earth as an American citizen. I was born with this status. But more importantly, I was born again into a new kingdom with a new status! Philippians 3:20 says of all Christians: …our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ!
So, while I should give an appropriate degree of allegiance to my earthly country (Matthew 17:24-27, 22:15-22; Romans 13:1-7) and certainly pray for those in authority over me (2 Timothy 2:1-2)…my ultimate allegiance belongs to the King of Heaven! After all, the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem me by His blood and then put the Holy Spirit within me (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) as a seal to guarantee my inheritance until I take possession of it (Ephesians 1:13-14). And not just me, but all who are in Christ! Glory to God!
And this proper ordering of allegiances is where “dual citizenship” gets tricky. I am a citizen of the United States in this world, and yet a citizen of a heavenly kingdom, from which I await my Savior. I have to constantly be on guard that I’m living out of that identity, putting my status as a child of God first. I’m first and foremost part of a people redeemed from every tribe, tongue, and nation. And that means I have to look critically at my own culture. I have to be shaped by the gospel of Christ and not the narrative of the American Dream.
The beginning of Philippians 1:27 is best translated: Only live as citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… Philippians 3:20 makes it clear what he’s talking about. Paul’s concern for the Philippians was that they live out their heavenly citizenship on the earthly plane. He acknowledged that they would meet opposition from those who despise the gospel of grace, and I need to keep that in mind. When your allegiance is wrapped up in something else, somewhere else, those who can only see what’s in front of them in this life will not always be tolerant. They won’t understand. There are risks. And yet, as believers, we must always stand firm together in the unity and strength of the Holy Spirit by striving for the faith of the gospel and continuing to fear God more than man (Philippians 1:27-28).
Most of all, we continue to be shaped by and live consistently with the gospel, and thus make the gospel plausible to a watching world. And when I suffer, I need to remember that God has graciously granted me salvation and the suffering that comes along with following Christ (Philippians 1:29). He’ll hold up His end of the bargain…He will reward the faithful much more than we can imagine (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). Along with Paul, I want to function as an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20) of my true home in the coming Kingdom of God, regardless of the cost. May God give us grace to follow in the Savior’s steps (1 Peter 2:21)!