July 1 is Canada Day, a day to reflect on what it means to be a Canadian, to share what makes us proud, and to celebrate our citizenship.. We reflect this pride is in numerous and various ways. Canada Day highlights the richness of our land, our diversity, our culture, and our contributions. Above all, it celebrates our people.
Citizenship is a legal status and relationship between an individual and a state. Although often used interchangeably, nationality and citizenship have distinct meanings. Nationality relates to the place one is born and is determined by birth or parentage. Citizenship is a legal status granted to a person by the government of a state conferring specific rights, privileges, and freedoms on an individual after he or she has fulfilled the legal formalities. It also entitles one to the protection afforded by the state. In return, the individual pledges loyalty, allegiance, and support for the state and its government while making a commitment to comply with its laws. One also obliges oneself to meet all the required responsibilities and obligations of citizenship, even those that are unpopular. (Rom. 13:6, 7; 1 Pet. 2:17) The only exception to this would be if a human law contradicted a command of God.
The latter verse, often cited in discussions about Christian citizenship and submission to authority, emphasizes the importance of respecting those in positions of power, even if they are not personally admirable. While God may not necessarily approve of all actions taken by earthly rulers nor with all the laws they establish, rulers are in power by divine right and for reasons best known and understood by God. God is the ultimate ruler of human kingdoms, and He gives them to whoever He chooses. (Dan. 4:17, 34-37; cf. 2:19-21; Is. 44:28; 45:1-13; Jer. 43:10-13)
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,” writes Paul, “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 upon themselves.” (Rom. 13:1, 2; see also vss. 3-5)
God is at work in every situation and experience in life, for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. (Rom. 8:28; cf. Gen. 50:15-21) He does not necessarily ordain everything that happens. To do so would remove human choice and free will. However, He can and will bring good out of everything.
One important consideration is dual citizenship. This occurs when a person is legally recognized as a citizen of two or more countries simultaneously. People in this situation have rights and, also, obligations and responsibilities to all countries of which they are citizens. Christians are dual citizens. We are citizens of the country in which we live, and we are citizens of God’s heavenly kingdom. Though Christians reside on Earth, our true and ultimate home is in heaven with God.
There are two great communities in the universe, that of the world, and that of heaven. The one is governed by worldly laws and institutions, and the other by the laws of heaven. One is instituted to accomplish worldly purposes, and the other for heavenly or religious purposes.
While living here on earth we are displaced people, i.e., foreigners, exiles, and strangers, fully involved in, but not belonging to this world. (Jn. 15:8, 9; 17:13–16; 1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11) The present realm is not intended to be our permanent home. (Jn. 14:1-4; 1 Pet. 2:9-12) We are resident aliens. While here, we should be homesick for our heavenly home. (2 Cor. 4:16-5:10; cf. Phil. 1:21-26) Primarily, we are citizens of heaven. Our true home lies where Christ is. (Col. 3:1; Heb. 12:2)
Christians have certain rights, duties, and responsibilities, and are governed by the laws of heaven. This understanding shapes our perspective and priorities and encourages us to live in a way that reflects our heavenly citizenship. (Eph. 3:20, 21 cf. Heb. 11:1-16) We are to live “worthy lives, i.e., lives that are patterned after and appropriate to the standards and goals of heaven. (Eph. 4:1; Phil. 1:27; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 2:12) We owe allegiance to God, and in turn, are entitled to his protection. We are a community associated as citizens of heaven and we expect and long to dwell there. Like Paul, our desire should be to leave this life and go home to be with God. (Phil. 1:20-26) However, God may have other things in mind.
Relatively speaking, life is short and uncertain, prompting reflection on how we spend our time and encouraging a focus on what truly matters in the face of mortality. We live in physical bodies, but anticipate the bright future in our eternal home. While here, we share Abraham’s experience, living “like a stranger in a foreign country. . . looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:9–10).
In light of this reality, Paul urges: “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:15-17; cf. Col. 4:4, 5) Our eternal destiny and final home is determined by the way we live here on earth. (Rom. 14:10-12; 2 Cor. 1:6-10; cf. Jn. 5:22-29) Like the psalmist, our prayer should be: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Ps. 90:12)
When we become Christians God adopts us into his family. (Gal. 4:4, 5)which means that we become citizens of his eternal kingdom where our Father is the King. Our focus turns toward eternal things and storing up treasure in heaven. (Matthew 6:19–20). We become “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:17; cf. Rom. 6:4). God sends His Holy Spirit to live in us, and our bodies become His temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19–20). The Holy Spirit begins to transform our sinful, worldly desires into those that glorify God (Romans 12:1–2). His goal is to make us as much like Jesus as possible. (Rom. 8:29). We are ambassadors to this earth until our Father sends for us and we go home. (2 Cor. 5:20; Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20). We are given the power and privilege of exiting the world’s flawed value system and living for eternity (1 John 2:15–17).
Paul encouraged his readers to live godly lives by following his example and observing those who lived as he did. By comparison, many lived as enemies of the cross. Such people gloried in their shameful ways, and their destiny was to be destroyed. The motivation behind this ungodly lifestyle is that they have their desires and affections fixed on earthly things and the works of the flesh. (Phil. 3:17-19; 1 Jn. 2:15-17a; cf. Gal. 5:19-21)
On the other hand, there is a way of life that leads to eternal life. (1 Jn. 2:17b) This is a life that is directed and empowered by the Holy Spirit and produces godly fruit. (Gal. 5:16, 22-26). One who lives like this is focused on God and his ways. (Col. 3:1-4). He or she is a citizen of heaven in contradistinction from a worldly community. (Phil. 3:20) Though living on earth, we belong to a heavenly commonwealth and have a higher citizenship in a more glorious city, in heaven itself.
This world is not intended to be our permanent home. (Jn. 14:1-4) Our desire should be to leave this life and go home to be with God. (2 Cor. 5:1-10). And while out time on earth is short, we leave the timing of our departure in God’s hands. (1 Chron. 29:15; Job 14:1; Ps. 103:15-16; Jas 4:14)
Since our time here is short, we need to prioritize eternal realities over transient ones and not become too attached to earthly activities. (1 Cor. 7:29-31) It’s not that they are necessarily, inherently sinful or evil. They may even glorify God, (cf. 1 Cor. 10:31). However, they are relatively important, not ultimately so, They are part of this world but not the next. We must not be so attached to the day-to-day activities of this present life that we fail to live in expectation and anticipation of the next. We are foreigners and strangers who are looking for a country of our own, a better country, a heavenly one, for a city God has prepared for us. (Heb. 11:13-16; see vss. 1-12; 39, 40) Here on earth, we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come, whose builder and maker is God. (Heb. 13:14; see vss. 11-13)
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