(Note: This post was originally written 10/16/2012 but we lost it with a website crash. I found the original word document and thought it would be appropriate to bring back in a 2016 United Stated political season-Kevin)
This post may get me in trouble with some of you, but read on anyway. This is high political season in the United States. Let me tell you a story. One of my favorite books of the Bible is Philippians. And I love the back story on the location. You may not know that Philippi was one of the places that had great battles with famous Romans like Brutus and Anthony. After one of these might battles, as a reward for being a place of victory, the whole city of Philippi is granted Roman citizenship. Now this was a big deal. Along with all of the other perks of citizenship the people of Philippi enjoyed the fact that they did not have to pay taxes. Yes, even back then it was about taxes. So this was a group of people that were very proud of their citizenship. So it was probably a little jarring when Paul writes them these words:
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20)
He was reminding them where their allegiance was to be first. And that is a good reminder for us as well.
What I am not saying
I am not saying that you should not be involved in the political process. Paul even in this book talks about those serving God in “Caesars household.” If God calls you to a political career do it as if you were working for the Lord not men. I am not saying not to vote. In the United States it would be interesting to see what would happen if every Christian actually voted.
What I am saying
Our hope does not come from politics
No matter what political party you support our true hope comes from the Lord the maker of heaven and earth. Certain things in this world will never be right until our Savior comes that we are “eagerly” waiting for from heaven. And this is good news because the Bible reminds us that He is coming.
Tweet ThisOur loyalty is first with our citizenship in heaven.
As Christians we are dual citizens. But we must remember that our first responsibility is to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6). No matter the political season we must live a life of love and kindness. We must maintain control of our tongues and lay down our lives for others. For we serve a King who gave up heaven to lay down His life for us.
So before you go on with your day why don’t you take a moment and pretend to take out your passport for heaven. Take a look at it and commit to living today with the interests of heaven in mind, even in a political season.