Dual Citizenship

I have some missionary friends who have been serving in the country of their calling for decades. They have decided to become citizens of the country of their ministry while retaining their U.S citizenship. We call that dual citizenship. They are subject to the laws of both countries while enjoying the privileges of both countries.

When the apostle Paul wrote to the believers in the church of Colosse, he said: “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse…” (Colossians 1:1-2). He identifies them as in Christ, but also in Colosse. They have dual citizenship. When we trust Christ as our Savior, we are granted a new citizenship. Paul told us in Phil. 3:20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”.

As citizens of heaven, we follow the constitution of the Word of God and pledge our allegiance to the Son of God. To Him we owe our greatest loyalty and our highest obedience. We are to put our Lord first in our love and seek Him first in our priorities (Matt. 6:33). We are to enjoy the rich fellowship with our family of faith. One day the Lord will return for us and take us to the capital city of our new kingdom…heaven.

Even though we are firm die-hard citizens of heaven we cannot ignore our duties to our other citizenship. God has placed us on this earth to fulfill our duties to our neighbors and fellow countrymen. One duty is to be the light of the world. We should reflect the lifestyle of Jesus Christ and shine brightly His love. We also need to be the salt of the earth. We have a duty to season our environment with the truth of God’s Word and to make people thirsty for God. As citizens in this world, we also need to communicate to everyone the gospel of Jesus Christ so that they too will become dual citizens.

The old gospel song says: “This world is not my home I’m just a-passing through, my treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue”. But as we are passing through, we must not forget our duties to this world.