Articles
Dual Citizenship
An interesting quote caught my attention today, and rang especially true after meeting many people from other nations on our honeymoon. H. Jackson Brown said, “Never make fun of someone who speaks broken English. It means they know another language.” We often demand that everyone address us using perfect grammar and syntax, while they are bilingual — a skill that many people have sought to attain. This idea has spiritual implications as well. We often find ourselves being made fun of because we are not fluent in worldliness, while unbeknownst to many we meet, we speak a spiritual language and live spiritual lives. We as Christians have a dual-citizenship. Paul reminded all Christians that “…our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). The Hebrew writer also speaks of those who “made it clear that they [were] seeking a homeland.” and, “they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Heb. 11:14,16). Our dual-citizenship should greatly impact our lives and the lives of those around us.
It is wonderful to sing songs such as, “This World is Not My Home.” These songs encourage us during the trying times of life when the world seems to bear down on us and steal away our hope. However, Paul reminds us of the hope within us that keeps us looking heavenward. “But we ourselves… groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience” (Rom. 8:23-25). While we live physical lives here on earth, our true lives are yet to begin. This should be reflected in our thoughts, our words, and our actions.
The real danger for Christians lies not in the discouraging days, but in the comfort this world affords. We often find ourselves speaking the worldly dialect more fluently than we ought. We lose our identity as foreigners and pilgrims by looking and acting too much like the world. Instead of people wondering why we do not join them in their debauchery (cf. 1 Pet. 4:4), they wonder how it is someone like us claims to be a Christian, yet is so much like the world. We can lose our identities. This is reflected in the lives of adults, as well as their children. Instead of anchoring ourselves securely against worldliness, we are instead swept away by it. We raise children who, rather than being spiritual in a physical world, are worldly — with just enough spirituality to console their parents. This cover up is shameful, and will not be tolerated by God! Parents will give an account for the decisions they made and the stands they took in raising their children.
We serve the Almighty God of heaven. He has prepared a place for the faithful; those, who by their righteous obedience will be called blessed before the great throne of Christ. Where does your true loyalty lie? If in heaven, your life will reveal it. You will be different. If on earth, your works will also be that which judges you. Satan wants us all to “fit in” on earth. Let us be proud to be strangers here as we look heavenward each day of our pilgrimage here.
