Dual Citizenship : For God or Country

By Geff Fontanilla

Do you know anyone who is a citizen in two countries? But there is a more important citizenship - our citizenship in heaven. Are you from the Philippines or are you from heaven? Where do you pledge more allegiance to?

1 Chronicles 29:10-18 says, “Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: “O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. “O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. “O Lord our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you! I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously. “O Lord, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes.”

King David acknowledged that everything He has came from the Lord. People dream of having a comfortable life. They want to have a big house, cars at their disposal, travel the world and have money to buy all the things they want to buy and do all the things they want to do. But is serving the Lord with their entire family part of their dream?

All things come from the Lord. If you live in His word and seek first His kingdom, He will continually bless you. How will you know if the life you are living is for the earth or for the Lord? You first have to admit that there is a problem and strive to become a part of the solution. Our faith in the Lord is supposed to change our citizenship in this world, and not our culture that will make our faith waiver. We are supposed to be guided by the Lord always. His will and not the will of men be done. Where does your citizenship end when the Kingdom of God is at hand? Philippians 3:20 says, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” We need to wait for the Kingdom of God, always thinking of what we can do for His kingdom and how we can share His gospel to the world. It is good to love your country, but never to idolize it. Only God deserves our utmost praise and worship. Matthew 6:10 says, “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” We move according to God’s plan and according to God’s word. Do not let your faith be jeopardized by your belief in temporary things, your country or its leadership. Always hold onto your heavenly citizenship. Christian adults are called to be good citizens, but your ultimate loyalty should be to the Lord.

Audit your priorities. What is important in your life? Your goals and plans on earth or in heaven? Be a prophetic citizen. Stand firm in your faith and beliefs. Do not compromise. Show values that correspond with the kingdom of God. Correct the theology in your home. Align the faith of your family with the Lord. Invite them all to go to church. Everybody needs the Lord. Do not put your faith in earthly things. Money is not the only solution to all your problems. True joy can only be found in Jesus Christ. And that is most important. Our faith in our country ends when the word of God is compromised.