Dual Citizenship

Belonging to Jesus means living in two worlds.  On the one hand, we settle into 21st century North America.  We work and go to school and do business in our local communities, rubbing shoulders with people of various backgrounds and beliefs.  What’s more, we obey the law of the land, pay our taxes, and strive to make a positive con­tribution for “the greater good” of humanity here and now.

On the other hand, all who follow Christ make their true home in another world—under the eternal reign of God today and in the new heavens and new earth in the age to come.  We are born again as citizens of God’s kingdom; Jesus is our ultimate Commander-in-Chief.  We pledge allegiance, first and foremost, to Christ the King.

And so, in a sense we’re citizens of two kingdoms:  1) this temporary realm of earthly powers—empires that rise and fall, like Rome and (one day) the USA; and 2) the eternal realm and reign of the King of Kings.  Someday things will be simpler; in the age to come there will be only one dominion, one citizenship, and one Ruler.  But for now, things can get complicated and confusing.

So Jesus prays for his disciples (then and now) to be “in but not of the world.”  We need his help, by the Spirit, to lead balanced, matur­ing, in-but-not-of lives.  The Son of God pleads with the Father on our behalf:  “Keep them in your name” (John 17:11); “Keep them from the evil one” (17:15); “Sanctify them in the truth—your word is truth” (17:17); make them one, “even as we are one” (17:11, 21-23).

Yes, Christians need care-taking!  It takes the hand of God to guard, guide, correct, train, and keep us all the way home to heaven.  Let that humble you.  But be encouraged too:  if the Son of God prays for us, do we have any reason to think his prayers will fail? Trust him!

And don’t miss Jesus’ plea in 17:24:  “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me…”  Jesus longs for his people to be with him; it’s his passion.  Think of it:  the Son of God yearns to gather all who love him into his radiant, perfect presence in the world to come!  That is his prayer and purpose.  And it will come to pass.