Living With A Dual Citizenship

"Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" - Philippians 3:17-20

I have been hearing the term "Christian Nationalist" a good bit of late. It a secular term with a political, ideological nuance. It is not consistent with our faith. As a point of clarification, "Christian nationalism is the belief that the American nation is defined by Christianity, and that the government should take active steps to keep it that way. Popularly, Christian nationalists assert that America is and must remain a “Christian nation”—not merely as an observation about American history, but as a prescriptive program for what America must continue to be in the future." - Christianity Today 

I won't get into the political banter. The purpose of my writings is to encourage you in the faith. To encourage you to become more sensitive to the struggles we face living with a dual citizenship and the tension that will always exist between the two. Each vying for our devotion. As citizens of whatever country, we hail from, we do have a civic responsibility. But because I am a Christian, I must embrace Biblical truth, or should, over any political party's platform or cultural norm when it is clearly contrary to God's revealed truth. When there is contention between what God has made plain and what the culture I live in declares as right and true, I must choose God.

This is a quote from Dr. Tony Evans on this matter. [It was specifically about race, but it applies to any aspect of our lives. 

"Your Christianity must always be in the adjectival position, your color and culture [and politics] must always be in the noun position, so that if anything must be adjusted, it is the noun of your humanity and not the adjective of your faith. You and I are to define our humanity in terms of our faith, not our faith in terms of our humanity. Jesus stayed who He was, but He operated from heaven’s point of view. God is not asking you to give up who you are to [appease] somebody else [gaining their acceptance]. Don’t be so committed to your own race [or political party] that you operate outside of the Christian faith while [saying that you are] staying true to what God has made you." - Dr. Tony Evans, Focus on The Family Interview.

The tenants of this country are that all men [read all people] are created equal and they are born with certain inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Freedom of religion is at the core of the principles that are the bedrock of the United States. Think about how that fits with the exclusivity of Christian nationalism - it doesn't it. You can draw your own conclusions. 

The troubles that we see today are spiritual problems that need a spiritual solution. Our struggle is not because of political platforms or cultural conclusions about right and wrong. They are rooted in mankind's sin nature.

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:12-13

We first pledge allegiance to God and then to the flag and our country. As born-again sons and daughters of the Creator God through faith in His Son, Jesus, we render unto to Caesar what is Ceasar's and to God what is God's.  

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone