Immanuel Bulletin Series:
The elections are now over. You may be disappointed or delighted by the results. As Christian citizens of our country, it is now our personal responsibility to “be subject to the governing authorities,” whomever they may be, and to give “honor to whom honor” is due (cf. Romans 13:1,7). Let us pray for all who are now in authority, even as God commands, so that we all might “lead quiet and peaceable lives in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
We are citizens of our country by divine providence, while we are citizens of heaven by divine grace!
What is most important for us to realize as Christians, however, is that while our earthly citizenship is an important blessing from God, He has given us an even greater blessing through our citizenship in His heavenly kingdom. The apostle Paul writes, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself” (Philippians 3:20-21). We are citizens of our country by divine providence, while we are citizens of heaven by divine grace! But why is it that our heavenly citizenship is a greater blessing than our earthly citizenship?
First of all, our earthly citizenship is temporal, while our heavenly citizenship is eternal. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation” (9:27-28). We live on earth but for a short time, after which we will stand before God’s throne of judgment. Citizenship in heaven, which is ours through faith in Christ Jesus, assures us of eternal salvation!
Secondly, earthly citizenship focuses on the material, while heavenly citizenship focuses on the spiritual. Jesus once said, “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) Elected officials might establish economic policies which greatly enrich our nation, but if we lose our faith in Jesus and our souls along the way, what will we ultimately have gained?
Thirdly, through our earthly citizenship we serve men, while through heavenly citizenship we serve God. Both are important, but remember that the first and greatest commandment is, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).
Fourthly, earthly citizenship is based upon law, while heavenly citizenship is based upon the gospel. Laws are important. They are necessary to preserve order and to prevent men from sinning. Laws are necessary to provide direction. Law, however, is limited in its usefulness, for law cannot change men’s hearts. The apostle John states, “The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The gospel reveals God’s grace—the truth of His love for us sinners through Christ Jesus. The gospel can and does transform hearts, leading people to faith and moving them to love without fear and without the law’s threat of punishment. The gospel alone can and does give eternal life!
Fifthly, earthly citizenship promotes civic righteousness, while heavenly citizenship provides Christ’s righteousness. Civic righteousness is crucial for the success of our society. If people do not live honest and decent lives; if they do not abide by the laws of the land; if they are unwilling ever to sacrifice their personal interests for the public welfare, we could not continue to exist as a civil society. Yet, the individual, who guided by the law promotes and practices civic righteousness, still cannot measure up to the demands of God’s law. God’s law demands perfection. It is the gospel alone which provides the only righteousness that can stand before God—the righteousness of Christ. God says, “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:20-22).
Finally, earthly citizenship improves life, while heavenly citizenship instills life! If all of the most qualified candidates are elected to office; if all of the best policies are fully implemented; and if the life of our entire citizenry were improved, you would still be confronted by the inevitability of death. God provides the solution. Jesus says, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14). Jesus Christ, the world’s Savior, comes to us and offers us not just improved life in this world, but everlasting life in heaven.
God in His wise providence has made each of us citizens of our earthly country, while by His grace He has called us to be citizens of His heavenly kingdom. Our calling as earthly citizens can and will at times become frustrating, yet in view of His calling us into heavenly citizenship, the Christian citizen can approach matters in this life with the confidence of a biblical perspective. The apostle Paul says, “We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).