The Double Life of Earthly and Heavenly Citizens

The Importance of the Bible

When Christians have a question about the ties between Christianity and earthly citizenship, the Bible is an excellent resource to turn to. The Bible, which is the inspired, inerrant, and authoritative word of God, has been used for millennia to answer difficult questions such as this.

The Words of Paul, author of the Book of Romans

The book of Romans specifically addresses this topic. “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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

Different Interpretations

Sometimes this passage of scripture is interpreted to mean that Christians are required to follow everything the government commands and that they shouldn’t be involved in the government. However, this belief, that heavenly citizenship doesn’t affect earthly citizenship, is false.

C.H. Spurgeon

C.H. Spurgeon said the following about how people of faith must be involved in government, “I often hear it said, “Do not bring religion into politics.” This is precisely where it ought to be brought! I would have the Cabinet and Members of Parliament do the work of the nation as before the Lord, and I would have the nation, either in making war or peace, consider the matter by a light of righteousness. We have had enough of clever men without conscience. Now let us see what honest, God-fearing men will do.”

Why?

But why should Christians be involved in government? How does dual citizenship – that is, people who are citizens of both the country in which they live and of heaven, affect Christians?

Back to the Bible

Let’s go back to the Bible. Specifically, Romans 13:1-2, which was quoted in the introduction, along with Acts 5:29, which states, “Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings.”

First Thoughts

At first glance, it appears as if these two passages of scripture contradict each other. One verse states that Christians need to follow the government, the other says only to listen to God. Despite the impulse to think that dual citizens must choose between the government or God, Christians must realize that following both God and government is important to good citizenship.

What To Do?

Christ-followers should follow God first and government second because God is the one who created government. With that said, Christians should be following the government, which God placed over them, only if it doesn’t go against what God wants his followers to do.

A Lesson from the Apostle Paul’s Life

Rodney Nelson from Liberty Magazine, said this about Paul, “Paul’s citizenship among the Romans was not the focus of his attention. He used his Roman citizenship as a tool to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. He used Roman citizenship to protect himself from undue harm and persecution…Whatever the opportunities presented to him by Roman citizenship, Paul’s true citizenship was not earthly. Paul’s citizenship belonged in heaven.”

God’s Lens

The whole concept of dual citizenship can be confusing, but it’s important to take what the government says and view it through God’s lens.  

A Framework

It would be nice to have a framework for how the United States can use Christian principles throughout the government. Thankfully, the Puritans, who first settled in America, came up with this framework, based on the beliefs and ideas they brought to the New World. Many years after the Puritans first settled in America, these ideas were brought to life by a monument called the National Monument to the Forefathers. This monument is an ideal example of how our country can be run today.

The Monument to the Forefathers

At the top of the monument, Faith is depicted by a woman who has her right hand pointed to God and her left hand holding the Bible. She has a star on her head, indicating that she receives her wisdom from above. This is intended to show that without faith in God, a country will fail. Below Faith, there are the characteristics of Morality, Law, Education, and Liberty. These characters demonstrate that all the important values of a country come from faith and trust in God. Dual citizens in particular need this truth to allow for good citizenship.

More Wisdom

David Hinton from Preserve Our Freedom said this, “Most Americans today have forgotten the source of, and the price paid for, our liberty. We have abandoned the principles necessary to live free. We have put aside the matrix of liberty presented to us in the Forefathers Monument. We have failed to acknowledge God Almighty as the giver of life and liberty. Consequently, we have begun to lose our liberty, our happiness, and all the fruit that comes from obeying the King of all nations.”

William Bradford

William Bradford said, “Thus out of small beginnings greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing and gives being to all things that are; and as one small candle may light a thousand, so the light here kindled hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation; let the glorious name of Jehovah have all praise”

Questions

The questions put before Americans now are, first, how can Christians be involved in government? Second, how can Christians protect the United States’ founding principles, which were laid out by the puritans?   

Answers

The answer? It all starts with the conviction and the courage to stand for truth. Having a conviction is the easy part, but acting on that conviction is what’s hard because carrying out such a difficult task requires people to step out of their comfort zones. Rick Green, president of Patriot Academy, said this, “It’s conviction of what we need to change and how we need to act different that’s going to make the difference… But what we’re missing most, I think, in our culture is the courage to do the things that we get convicted of….”

The United States is full of people who are hungry for truth, but many are not taught what truth even is. Citizens need to learn the truth about the U.S. without forgetting its founding principles along the way, then learn to have the courage to stand upon those principles. After all, God calls Christians to be stewards of the country in which they live, to be educated, to be brave, and to leave fear behind.

The Reality of the Matter

Unfortunately, many Christians stay out of government and don’t do anything to protect the freedoms that come with the Constitution, because Christians bring fear and misinformation with them, instead of giving it to God and seeking accurate information.

Hope

The Bible calls Christians to so much more than being idle! Unlike what many people say, the church has a place in government and it also needs to speak the truth, even when politicians don’t. This happens when families are involved, by raising kids who know the truth and will act on it. It also involves government schools standing up and teaching the truth instead of lies. A Christian’s purpose on this earth is to further God’s kingdom. This call affects every part of Christian living. It is not optional. By ignoring this call, Christians are rejecting what God expects his sons and daughters to do. When pursuing this call, the Bible should be a Christian’s guide through the process of achieving this important task, because God provided it for every aspect of life.

If Christians don’t follow what the Bible says, it’s like throwing out the instruction manual of truth. Without an instruction manual, it is hard to operate something correctly, this is the same with a Christian’s life. This call isn’t just of earthly citizenship, it’s also a call of heavenly citizenship.

What Should We Do?

Christians need to leave their existing comfort zone and show others the principles that the United States was founded on. It won’t be easy, but it’s what God wants Christians to do, and he will help throughout the work of completing the task. America depends on Christians to stand on the truth and to be a light to those who haven’t yet met Jesus. The founders of the United States of America didn’t endure all the hard work of founding this country to have it broken by ignorance. They did as much as they could during their time, and they expected the next generation to continue the job they started. Today’s Christians are the next generation. Christians can choose to leave the job up to others or Christians can step into the battlefield and do what is right for this country, its government, and its founding principles.