My country is. . . .

A friend here from another country is seeking permanent resident status. National laws and red tape make the process slow and cumbersome. A few urge her to be aggressive and put more pressure on various agencies to get her citizenship status changed, but she is not going to do that. As a Christian, she knows that no matter what happens here, her true citizenship is not on this earth. 

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. (Philippians 3:18–21)

Many biblical passages affirm that those who are in the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus Christ are not of this world. However, this does not mean we can ignore the responsibility of living here. Our friend has a job. She takes serious the work she is given even though her abilities are not used to the full. She would not dream of abusing the privileges or freedoms she has. 

While those born in this country might resent those who come here a refugees, most of the refugees we know are hard-working and thankful people. They are doing what God charged His people to do when they were exiled to Babylon. In that OT narrative, and contrary to what they might have expected, God told them:

Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. (Jeremiah 29:4–7)

For those who realize their true citizenship is in heaven, and even though we will inherit the earth when it is made new in the kingdom (Revelation 21:1), nevertheless in a profound sense this world is not our home. The Bible says that when we are away from our bodies we will be “at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). For that reason, we are not to be conformed to this world in our attitudes and lifestyle. Our lives “are hid with Christ in God” and we have been “rescued … from the domain of darkness and transferred … to the kingdom of his beloved Son” and have “passed out of death and into life.” Clearly, we are exiles and strangers here, and here to bring glory to the God who has adopted us as His people.

Reading the Bible shows me what that means. I’m to love God and my neighbor, do to others in the way I want to be treated, honor the Lord, respect those in authority over me, and obey all that the Lord says. Being “in this world, but not of this world” is not always easy for the ways of God are not the same as human or worldly ways. This is why our friend is not fighting for any “human rights” — she knows the privilege of being a citizen of a far greater realm than this one.

PRAY: Lord, I am thankful that my status is not mere ‘pie in the sky’ but being an ambassador in this foreign land as a citizen of Your kingdom. I represent heaven on earth, an amazing status and a great responsibility. How I need Your grace and enabling to be what You have called me to be, and serve You instead of bowing to all that this world offers.