“Only let your manner of life (Greek: “behave as citizens”) be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;” (Philipians 1:27) “For our citizenship is in heaven;” (Philippians 3:20).
The letter to the Philippians is Paul’s encouragement to them to live as Citizens of the Kingdom of God. They were to “behave” or live as good Citizens.
What Makes A “Good Citizen”?
In a physical kingdom or nation a good citizen is one who obeys and respect the laws of the land. He is one who accepts his responsibilities. He is loyal and faithful at all times, not just when things are going his way. He supports his nations actions and doesn’t render aid to the enemy.
A good citizen is Productive, a giver, not just a taker, a contributor not a liability. A good citizen then is a “positive” not a “negative.” We don’t have a problem seeing those things that make a “good citizen” in a physical kingdom or nation. We need to apply these same points to “Christian Citizenship”.
What Makes A “Bad Citizen”? A bad citizen is not necessarily one who is a criminal, one who is in jail, or a fugitive. It is also a “bad citizen” who is non- productive. Always a taker. Some live their whole life on welfare – know how to take advantage of the system. They are always a taker, never accepting any responsibility for the upkeep, and furtherance of their nation. Never serving, always desiring to be served. They want all the benefits that their country has to offer….But they don’t want to pay the taxes.
Do we have any in the church like that today? They want to be “born in the church”; “Married in the church”; and “buried by the church.”
There are enormous factors to cause impotence; smoking cigarettes, taking excessive stress, depression, etc. are found cialis on line purchase some liable reasons. With male enhancement, notwithstanding, you can revive your libido and cialis lowest price long for sex significantly more regularly. Many biological and psychological factors are responsible for levitra viagra online this dysfunction. Temporary tattoos are not what they used to generika viagra be. Many want all the benefits of citizenship without being a citizen. Look at the problem of “illegal immigrants” in our country today. Many want all the benefits that the nations has to offer, but are not willing to enter by the correct or legal way.
Many want all of the benefits of the “kingdom of God”, but they want them on their own terms.
How do we become citizens in God’s Kingdom? We must recognize Him as our Lord and King. (Faith). We must renounce our citizenship in the kingdom of the world. (Repentance). Be born again (Baptism, John 3:1-4). We are raised to “walk in a newness of Life” (Rom. 6:4) God having “delivered us out of the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love.” (Col. 1:13)
When we are obedient: “And the Lord added to them (the church, kingdom) day by day those that were saved.” (Acts 2:47) Those who are obedient have their citizenship in God’s Kingdom. “For our citzenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (Col. 3:20).
Two Questions: Where is Your citizenship. What kind of Citizen are you?
Frank Briscoe
