This has always been a very challenging topic for Christians to wrestle with. Ever since Constantine made Christianity the religion of the empire, and Justinian (528 AD) made it illegal for citizens of the Roman Empire not to be Christians, Christianity has struggled to separate itself from the kingdoms of this world.
The result has seen Christians waging war against Christians. English Christians fighting French Christians in the 100 Years War, British, French, German, Italian, Russian Christians fighting each other in World War 1. All the wars of Europe throughout the Middle Ages were wars were Christians were fighting and killing other Christians. The Second Lateran Council of 1139 introduced some weapons limitations, banning the use of crossbows, bows and arrows and siege machines in wars in which Christians were fighting Christians.
Why would Christians go to war against other Christians and would the clergy often be seen to be backing the troops in these wars? On one level the answer is simple enough, they had confused their citizenship in heaven with their citizenship on earth and being British, French, German, Russian etc. meant as much to them as being Christian.
In Philippians 3:20 Paul reminds us that, “Our citizenship is in heaven.” Philippi was a Roman Colony and all who were born in the city were granted Roman citizenship. This was a big deal, in Acts Paul mentions that he is a Roman citizen by virtue of being born in Tarsus. In these Roman towns a register would be kept listing all the citizens of the town, all those who were allowed the rights and privileges afforded only to citizen. Of course citizenship spoke not only of privilege but also of allegiance and therein lies the rub.
The earliest Christian confession was the simple statement “Jesus is Lord.” This was over and against the statement of allegiance to Caesar, “Caesar is Lord.” The Priene Inscription dating to around 9 BC speaks of Caesar Augustus, it states that he was sent, “as a savior both for us and our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since… the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning of the gospel for the world that came by reason of him.” A very different story is found in the bible. Mark’s gospel begins with the words, The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” (Did I mention that Caesar claimed the title “son of God” for himself?)
More could be said about to contrast Christ and his kingdom over and against the kingdom of the world. But I will leave this with one last thought. It was after traveling to Caesarea Philippi that Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter gave his famous answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The geography is important here.
As citizens of God’s kingdom we live as, “aliens and strangers” in this world. We are “Ambassadors” of God’s kingdom. That means that our allegiance lies with no nation of this world. The Church is the international body of Christ, it is made up of people from every nation of the globe. As Paul reminds us in Colossians, “there is no Jew or Greek, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian (no Greek speakers seen to be uncivilized), Scythian (known for their brutality), slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.”
God’s people are part of a different tribe than any earthly nation, or tribal emblems are not a national flag and a constitution, rather they are the cross and the Scriptures. Our national songs are the Psalms. The voices we are to listen to are those of our fellow Christians around the world, not those of any national government.
That being said, Christians are still to respect the authorities of this world, wherever they may be as they play an important God ordained role in maintaining order in a sinful world. We still live in the world but we are not of the world.
Nick Megoran in speaking of God’s people says, “the citizens of this kingdom share their wealth freely with those in want, sure that their king will provide their need. They do not jealously protect their borders, but welcome all who will freely take citizenship. They do not hate their enemies – not only do they refuse to harm them, but they love and pray for their good. They do not joyfully line up behind their tribes when they go to war, but sorrow over violence and injustice, and actively seek to be peacemakers.”
The big question we all have to ask is whether we are singularly focused on Christ and his kingdom or do we have a divided loyalty? Jesus reminds us that we cannot serve two masters, there is no room for divided loyalty between the kingdoms of this world and the kingdom of heaven.
To become an American citizen you have to “absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which [you] have heretofore been a subject or citizen.” Christ demands that we make the same statement when we declare ourselves to be his followers.
Perhaps God’s people need to stand up and declare, “I pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ and to the kingdom for which he stands, one people under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” Perhaps you find that statement offensive, it’s not supposed to be, actually it’s completely true.
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