07-04-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 4, 2023
What does it mean to be a good citizen of any nation (I’m mostly thinking of the United States as it is the nation of which I am a citizen) when the scriptures say, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20)? There have been folks, since the time of the Apostle Paul, who have argued this point in one way while others have argued it in a completely different way. I don’t want to sound as if I’m avoiding the debate, but I do truly believe it is a complicated struggle for anyone serious about following Jesus. In Romans 13, Paul writes, "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities," yet Paul was arrested numerous times as he lived his faithfulness in such a way that he was pushing back against some of the laws of the Roman Empire. In fact, just a few verses later, Paul will talk about how the law is summarized in the words, "You are to love your neighbor as yourself" (v. 9). So what happens when the law of the land keeps you from loving your neighbor the way you believe God has called you to love? I’m not writing this with the intention of saying, "So here is what you must believe," but to encourage us to continue to have heartfelt conversations on what it means to be a follower of Jesus and live in a nation that respects religious freedom but does not always embody what some of us would suggest is Christ-like living. And even among Christians, there is going to be some disagreement on what Christ-like living looks like. So on this day of national remembrance and celebration, let us continue to think deeply about how one can be the best citizen of this nation, while also trying to live a life that reflects citizenship in heaven. A healthy debate will be good for both.

​Gracious God, continue to be ever so present in all the real struggles we have in trying to determine how to be faithful in the reality of this moment. Amen.