Dual Citizens
Instead of worshiping at the altar of a false civil religion, Christians have a dual citizenship: a lesser, temporary citizenship on earth, and a supreme, eternal citizenship in heaven. Love of country is a good thing, but the interests of our eternal King far outweigh any interests of our earthly land (1 Pet. 2:9–10).
God is concerned with true worship—holiness, obedience to Jesus and justice that flows from neighbor love (Isa. 1:14–20; Mic. 6:8; Rom. 13:9). He desires for his people, here and now, to look and operate like citizens of a coming kingdom (Matt. 6:9–10; Matt 6:33; Luke 17:20–21). As dual citizens, we should engage culture and bring renewal to every arena—arts, business, education, agriculture and, yes, even politics. But we must not use Jesus as a mascot for our partisan agenda.
Jesus Isn’t an American Patriot
We must never become so patriotic that we cannot hold our own country, political party and leadership accountable when they engage in unrighteousness (for example, see Nathan calling out David, John the Baptist calling out Herod or Paul calling out Festus).
God has made all people—including Americans—in his image, but we shall not make him in ours.
If Jesus is a patriot for anything, he’s a patriot for heaven. He rules a kingdom immensely better than America or any other nation. He is the Savior who will come riding on a white horse, with a robe dipped in blood, championing justice and the kingdom of God (Rev. 19:11–16). The flag our Savior waves is the flag of his own kingdom, to which all nations, tribes and tongues will bend their knee (Phil. 2:9–11). Even the United States of America.
The original article appeared here.
