News About Your Citizenship (And Why We're Aliens)

Dear Friends,

Your citizenship is in Heaven.

As the engine of American politics revs up to another election, I want to remind you of this fact.

Sure, you may have a piece of paper that says you are an American citizen, but the apostle Paul makes clear that Christians are actually citizens of the kingdom of God. 

Paul makes this point explicit in his letter to the Philippians, residents of an ancient Roman colony renowned for its patriotism. The Philippians were, first and foremost, proud Romans. Paul’s best missionary strategy would have been to emphasize that to be a good Christian is to be a good Roman, but Paul was not a great strategist. When he came to Philippi to spread the good news about Jesus, Paul dared to proclaim among these proud Roman citizens that Jesus, and not the all-powerful Caesar, is Lord. 

What does this mean for you and me? It does not mean that we do not care about this world. It means that you and I pledge allegiance not to a flag, a group, or an ideology, but to a King. 

Paul cared very much for this world, and, like him, we work and pray for it too, in the midst of all our joys and sorrows, so that the reign of God might be known to all.

So fellow aliens, may the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, guide your hearts and minds as you live as a sojourner in this world,

Ben