Citizens with the Saints
In Ephesians 2, Paul reminds the believers in Ephesus of who they were before they came to know Christ. In verse 11, Paul specifically refers to them as Gentiles. The word he used specifically addressed their cultural, political and religious identity as non-Jews. Paul refers to them as part of the “uncircumcision” which was a derogatory term suggesting that they, as Gentiles, didn’t belong. He goes on to speak of how they were excluded from the commonwealth of Israel. That wording references citizenship, carrying with it the idea of belonging, identity, and standing. That is who they were before Christ.
But, Paul then goes on to say in verse 13 that through the blood of Christ, the Gentiles who were far away from God have been brought near. That suggests that their standing has changed. He then references citizenship again in verses 19-22 where he writes: 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.
Paul was saying that while they used to be “outsiders” they had been brought near through the work of Christ and were now fellow citizens with the saints. In the context of the culture, that word “citizen” carried significant weight. Citizens had standing and were recipients of all the rights and blessings of their country or kingdom. And notice that not only does Paul declare them citizens, he calls them members of the household of God. That suggests not only receiving citizenship, but something akin to being adopted by the royal family.
Paul was writing this to the believers in Ephesus, but down through the ages he was writing it for us as well. We too have had out heavenly citizenship purchased for us through the precious blood of Christ. We belong to the Kingdom of Heaven and with it we receive all of the rights and responsibilities that entails.
With that in mind, we need to recognize that, as followers of Christ, our citizenship in Heaven far outweighs any earthly citizenship. That means that regardless of what earthly kingdom or government we call home, regardless of which political party we feel like we most align with, regardless of which candidate we feel would serve us best, we are first and foremost citizens of Heaven. And Scripture has some clear guidelines for us about what that means. Let me share a few.
In Romans 13 we read: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
In other words, all of the authority that exists on earth ultimately is under the sovereignty of God, even the bad ones. Which means that we are to respect those authorities, even when we don’t agree with them. That does not mean we can’t be politically active, but as citizens of Heaven, we do so with respect at all times.
In Titus 3 we read: 1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.
This suggests that whether we agree with current policy or not, we are to obey the laws, do good and not malign anyone. This does not mean that we can’t disagree with policy, but again, we must do so with respect and love. As citizens of Heaven, we are called to unity, love and peace. That doesn’t mean that we can’t disagree with one another or have different political opinions, but if we allow our political rhetoric to cause disunity amongst the body, then we have placed our earthly citizenship over our Heavenly citizenship. No matter how fervently we believe in a candidate, a party, or a political issue if we can’t disagree with love, grace and respect then maybe we need to stay quiet.
1 Timothy 2 suggests that maybe we should do less talking and more praying: I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
We are called to pray for those in authority. Even when we don’t agree with them. Maybe even more so when we don’t agree. Prayer is our most important weapon against injustice. It is our primary work. If we don’t like the way things are, the most important thing we can do is pray. That doesn’t mean we don’t do anything else, but prayer comes first. We should be praying for those currently in authority, praying for the elections coming up, praying that we would know how God wants us to vote and praying for God’s will to be done here on earth as it is in Heaven.
After all God’s work on this earth is way more important than what any government could ever do. In 2 Chron. 7 God talked about how important it is to seek him for our land, when he said: 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
This reminds us that the most important thing we can do to bring about the blessing and healing of our land is to humble ourselves before the Lord and genuinely and fervently pray and seek his face with repentance. If we really want to make a difference, that is where we start.
And this was not just about blessing the land of Israel. God even challenged his people to seek God’s blessing for their community when they were living in the land of their enemies. In Jeremiah 29 God says: seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
No matter what earthly government we might find ourselves under, God calls us to pray for peace and prosperity for the community. That is true even if the governing authorities themselves are not following God and we don’t agree with their policies. He wants us to pray.
Are you seeing the pattern here? Our trust ultimately is not in earthly governments, but in God, the King of our true place of citizenship. In Psalm 146 we are reminded: Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.
Our hope is not in any political candidate, party, world leader or form of government. Our trust is in the Lord.
Jesus even said, when he was standing trial before Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Christ’s followers are citizens of heaven, part of the Kingdom of God. That means that we don’t fight in the same way. Our focus is not on earthly solutions to the problems of this world. Our trust is not in what any politician or government might do. Our trust is in God.
But, again that doesn’t mean that we can’t be politically active or stand up for what we think is right. In Isaiah 1:17 we read: Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
Micah 6 says: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
And Proverbs 31 says: Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
These verses suggest political and social activism, but notice that the focus is not on what is best for us. The focus is on the needs of others. This is calling us to speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. We need to remember that we live in a sin-cursed, broken world that is full of injustice. And while we have our eyes focused heavenward, God calls us to live as citizens of heaven, here on earth right now as we wait for him to return.
No matter what we think about the current political candidates that are available to us this election year, none of them is our savior. Our hope and trust is not in this earthly government at all. Our hope is in our one and only Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. And while our citizenship is ultimately in Heaven and we look forward to an eternity in that kingdom, we are called to live like citizens of Heaven, right now in the midst of this broken world.
With that said, even the ways we stand up for those who have no voice, how we fight injustice; how we vote, who we vote for, even the way we try to influence others and talk about political issues, all of it must be governed by the fact that we are first and foremost citizens of Heaven.
We are fellow citizens with the saints and are of God’s household. This is describing our identity and standing. We are no longer strangers and aliens, excluded, left out, underprivileged, hopeless, without God in the world. Let’s recognize our standing as citizens and live that out here on earth among a people who desperately need to see it.
Rob Mapstone
Director of Recruitment and Placement