CHRISTIAN AND THE NATION – “OUR ‘DUAL’ CITIZENSHIP”

Some nations offer dual citizenship to its citizens. They have be citizens of two nations at the same time – one the nation of their ancestors and one in which they are currently living. A Christian too is a dual citizen. This dual citizenship that we possess is unlike any that we have in this world. The dual citizenship of a Christian is spiritual in nature and attributes. It is not a political concept, and has nothing to do with anything of that sort, even remotely. 

All the men and women of God have been dual citizens, and firmly believed in this dual citizenship. We are the citizens of our earthly nation, and at the same time, we are citizens of the Kingdom of God.
– “20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” – Philippians 3:20
– “15 For we are foreigners and strangers in Your presence, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.” – 1 Chronicles 29:15
– “8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going…10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” – Hebrews 11:8,10
– “13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” – Hebrews 11:13-16

Being the citizens of the kingdom of God, doesn’t make us to be illegal or unlawful citizens of the earthly nation that we are citizens of. On the contrary, the Bible emphatically declared that we should be faithful and obedient citizens of the earthly nations.
– “1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” – Romans 13:1
– “5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” – Romans 13:5-7

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we are called to keep our life impeccably clean, and without reproach in the nation, of which we are the earthly citizens. This is a reflection of our faith in the LORD Jesus, and the true character of every citizen of the Kingdom of God.
– “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
– “12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” – 1 Peter 2:12

As citizens of the Kingdom of God, we should walk in faith and obedience to the LORD Jesus, and demonstrate the same for all to see.
– “15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” – Philippians 2:15
– “8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” – Ephesians 5:8
– “2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:2

As the citizens of the Kingdom of God, we who are Christians by our professed faith in the LORD Jesus, we should be single mindedly be focused on the LORD and His kingdom.
– “​1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

Let us never forget that we are the LORD’s disciples and His ambassadors. We are called to be His witnesses in this world, without abdicating our responsibility as the citizens of our nation. Even so the LORD help us.