The Citizenship Paradigm
Five years ago my family moved to another country. Before we left, I took pride in my political views and would eagerly and happily argue with anybody who would listen. In some ways, I thought it was my duty to challenge people with an opposing view because not only was it the right thing to do, but I was justified because my religious beliefs were what informed my politics and my patriotism. Many times I wrongly judged others because of their political views. How could they call themselves Christians and vote for certain candidates or represent certain parties? In my mind, being a Republican was the Christian thing to do.
I was not ready for the impact that moving to another country would have on me. There had been moments on short-term trips overseas where I would see the American Embassy with the flag waving and pride would swell up in my heart. Those were special moments where I began to understand the power and far reaching influence of our country. But what God began to do in me the first couple of years overseas surprised me.
Now lest you think what I’m about to say is un-American or un-patriotic, you should understand some of the other things I have come to understand too. You see, my young-adult years weren’t the greatest. I struggled with drugs and alcohol for quite sometime. I was addicted to intravenous methamphetamine and eventually wound up in prison (all of this before becoming a Christian of course). Today, after living internationally and knowing what I know about the world, I know that had those years unfolded in any other country but the US, I would not have enjoyed the success that I have in my adult life. In other words, I’m extremely grateful that I’m an American because otherwise I might still be in prison, or dead and I recognize that God had a plan for me in being born here.
So what did the Lord do that was so surprising? Well, he began to challenge my politics and my patriotism! He began to show me that both of these things had prevented me from sharing the Good News with folks in the US, and that they would continue to be a road block to Him until I dealt with it. I had to come to a realization that Jesus didn’t die on the cross to establish a political movement, or legislate morals, or even to establish a religion! He never meant for Republican and Christian to become synonymous! He died to set people free!
The Lord was calling me to strip away some things that were impacting my identity in a way that He never intended them to. How did He go about doing that? Well, I can say that it wasn’t painless! But, He began to speak to me about my true identity and my true citizenship.
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, – Philippians 3:20 NLT
When somebody from another country would say something about America, I found myself wanting to defend America and in the process setting up roadblocks to the Gospel. Then I heard His still small voice say, “I didn’t call you to defend America, I called you to make disciples for another kingdom!” That’s where it all started.
“Do you want to be a sold out patriot to My kingdom?” “Are you a citizen of heaven?” “How do citizens of heaven act?” “What do citizens of heaven do?” “When your politics and patriotism keep you from loving people in My name, something is wrong!”
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. – Hebrews 11:13-16 NLT
No groups should be marginalized and placed outside the scope of the Gospel in the name of politics and patriotism blended with the guise of religion. We are called to love and the simple question I have started asking myself when I get riled up about something political is, “Am I offended as an American, or as a citizen of Heaven?” This often keeps me from tripping people as they journey toward an encounter with the Father.
Still lots to process here, but living as a citizen of Heaven trumps a lot of the things that my flesh thinks I deserve as a citizen of America. I am appreciative of the founding fathers of this country, but I must never let them trump The Founding Father of everything. If I’m willing to fight, argue and even die for this country, how much more should that be true for my Heavenly citizenship?
Here are some of the goals I am working on as a citizen of Heaven:
To love my enemy
To love my neighbor as I love myself, even if I completely disagree with their politics, behavior, lifestyle, etc.
To bless those who curse me
To consider others better than myself
To outdo others in honoring them, even if I completely disagree with their politics, behavior, lifestyle, etc.
To base all of my actions and decisions, even voting, on the question asked in prayer, “Father, what is most beneficial to the kingdom?”
To understand that praying for leaders, including presidents and other politicians, means that I actually pray for them to be blessed and to know and hear from God rather than praying against them
And the list could go on!
I would love to hear from you about how God might have already been challenging you in this way, or how my story might have challenged you, or some other examples of how citizens of heaven live.
Grace and Peace
