Dual Citizenship Provides Hope
Lately I’ve been staring at the sky a lot.
In the Texas Hill Country, we’ve been blessed with blue skies and white billowy clouds. As I look upward, God has been impressing on me that the gorgeous heaven on which I’m gazing, is my home. Lately I’ve been staring at the television a lot. In the world in which we live; though dotted with beauty and joy, there is pain, destruction, and sorrow.
We’re Just Visiting Here
If we’re followers of Christ, heaven is our home. Our Heavenly Father adopted us (Ephesians 1:5) when we repented of our sins and confessed Jesus as Lord and Savior. Jesus explained that after He died and ascended to heaven, He would prepare a place for us. (John 14:2) How amazing is that?
We’re Dual Citizens
July 4th, we celebrate our nation’s independence from Britain and the formation of a new nation – the United States of America. We’re citizens of the USA. But, as dual citizens and while we fulfill our nation’s citizenry responsibilities, our primary allegiance is to our our Heavenly citizenship. Paul explains,
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” Philippians 3:20.
Prior to those words, Paul addressed the condition of the world, “many walk…that are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:18-19) Does that not describe the current condition of our world?
We’re Ambassadors for Christ
While we walk on this earth and live out our dural citizenship, what is to be our perspective and role? God is clear: we are Christ’s ambassadors. “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) As ambassadors of Christ, we;re to do more than gaze at our televisions or at heaven. We’re to appeal to people to be reconciled to God through Christ.
We’re Stewards of the Mysteries of God
No one would argue that things of the Spirit are a mystery. But, that’s no excuse. We’re to be close to God, prayerful, hopeful, students of the Scripture so we can discuss and dispense heavenly hope and perspective to those God brings to us. 1 Corinthians 4:1 explains, “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” The apostle Peter reminds us, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10) There’s that word again, “steward.” We’re to do more than wring our hands. We’re to do more than gaze at the heavens and wish Jesus would return. We’re on earth for a purpose; to represent Christ, and as His stewards, to reconcile people to God.
Fourth of July provides an occasion for us to celebrate our national citizenship. As we ooh and ahh at the brilliance of fireworks against the night sky, let us be reminded that the heavenly backdrop will one day open to receive us. Let us say a prayer to be faithful ambassadors and stewards of God while on earth.
Heavenly Father, we are in awe when we think of our citizenship in heaven. As we gaze upward in hope, prompt us to be increasingly faithful ambassadors and stewards; fulfilling Your calling. In Jesus’s name, Amen.