Dual Citizenship

March 19

Dual Citizenship by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“But our citizenship is in heaven, from where also we await for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” Philippians 3:20

We should always remember that we hold a twin citizenship. We have our citizenship in our earthly country, but we also are citizens of a heavenly country, which is far better. Our eternal citizenship is above.

Paul tells us that we are heavenly citizens first, so we are to live out our citizenship, our conduct, in a way that is honoring and glorifying and adorning of the Gospel of Christ. Our lives should be consistent with the Gospel of Christ.

Therefore, we must not limit our conduct only to the kingdom of heaven of which we are a citizen, but also we are to exercise faithfully all of our responsibilities as citizens of this kingdom here on earth.

Many Christians will limit themselves only to one and ignore the other, but Paul wants us to be consistent with the Gospel of grace. That is the way our conduct ought to be. We are called to honor and work for the country in which God has placed us, while at the same time we are to help build His kingdom and invest in eternity.

If we are faithful to God’s first command—the cultural mandate given at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:26) to serve as God’s vice-regents on earth, and if we are faithful in God’s last command to us—the Great Commission of Jesus to go and spread His Gospel then we will fulfill well our dual citizenship.

Lord of heaven and earth, give us strength for today to be worthy citizens of both countries of which we are citizens. Help us to work for Your kingdom, as we live in this world, and especially, help us not to be too comfortable with and fond of this world which is temporary.

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE CAN FULFILL BOTH OUR CULTURAL AND GOSPEL MANDATES.