We just celebrated our 250th birthday as a nation on July 4th. If you are like many, it was probably a enjoyable day of family, patriotism and fireworks. It is also an opportunity for reflection for the child of God. Consider what crossed my mind on that day.
I am amazed at the size of the celebrations. They went all out in Washington D.C. with a speech from the President, the honoring of centenarian veterans of World War II, and what was billed as the biggest fireworks display ever in the history of the world! (President Trump likes big things).
Debbie and I went with six of our grandkids (and their parents) to a bridge near downtown Fort Worth to watch our city’s fireworks display. There were hundreds of people on that bridge watching with us. I wondered what it would be like if I had the opportunity to talk to so many non-Christians at one time about our Lord.
Such events – though patriotism is certainly a part – has to do more with entertainment value. Everyone was having a good time, at no cost, what could be better?
It got me thinking about my citizenship in another kingdom. One that stirs feelings of patriotism in me. Do you realize that the United States is a neophyte in relationship to the kingdom of Christ? Jesus ascended to heaven to reign on His throne at His Father’s right hand almost exactly 2,000 years ago. Bible scholars have placed the date range between AD 26-36, with most saying either AD 30 or AD 33. Unfortunately inaccuracies in our calendar does not allow for us to know the exact date, though we know the exact occasion of the establishment of the kingdom of Christ! Jesus told His disciples upon His ascension to tarry in Jerusalem. He promised them that His kingdom would be established with the power of the Holy Spirit! On the day of Pentecost which closely followed that ascension, the Holy Spirit fell upon the apostles! Men were granted entrance into Christ’s kingdom upon their acceptance by faith the Kingship of Jesus! You can read about the events in Acts 2. As Paul wrote later, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
As Christians in the United States we have a dual citizenship. However we must place the proper emphasis upon observing the laws of the Lord, placing them above our service to our physical nation. What does this mean? It certainly does not mean that we can violate the laws of our physical nation with impunity. We are told by the apostle Paul in Romans 13, “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (1-2).
However, when a choice must be made to either obey God or obey men, we must always choose God! The apostles are a good example here. Peter and John were first arrested in Jerusalem for preaching the gospel. They were adjured by the Jewish leaders to no longer preach in Jesus’ name. They answered, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:19-20). A short time later all of the apostles were back doing what the leaders of the people said not to do, preach in Jesus’ name. They were arrested again, and brought before the same leaders. The Jewish leaders were “filled with indignation.” How dare these men disobey them! The threw the apostles into prison. With God’s help the apostles escaped and went right back to preaching in the temple. They were arrested and tried again before the Sanhedrin. They high priest asked them, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine…!” Consider Acts 5:29, “But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”
Fortunately at this time it does not typically cause a conflict in America to serve both God and man. As has been stated many times, the freedom of religion is an important part of our heritage, though that freedom has eroded a bit in the last few decades. Further, it has become less accepted by the world to be a faithful child of God. Regardless, we know that allegiance to God has the payoff of eternal life in His presence!
It is my prayer that more people will understand the importance of our spiritual citizenship in the kingdom of heaven. Even Christians sometimes get their priorities wrong, exhibiting partisanship and outright rancor for those they oppose politically or ideologically. Christ came to save all men, not just those on the right, or the left. Or in the middle. Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17).
I realize that to bring the world to the kingdom of our Lord, we must convict them of sin. The gospel is plain, and itself can cause controversy. But, I can’t understand the willingness of some Christians to alienate half the population over their political views. This happens too much on social media. We are to show love to all of mankind! Since Christ came to seek and to save the lost, we are to have that same primary motivation in our service to humanity.
It is important to be a patriot in service to the Lord! We are soldiers in His army, fighting against the “rulers of the darkness of this age.” Let’s get it right and serve God first!
