Why Every Christian Has Dual CitizenshipSample

Christians obey the government, but God above all

One way to think about how we should live is through an analogy Paul gives. He writes about our citizenship when he calls us “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20).

An American ambassador lives in a foreign country, under appointment by his president at home. For example, when the US ambassador presented his credentials to Iraq’s president and foreign minister, he continued a historic tradition. So long as the US ambassador lives in Iraq, he will obey the laws of that nation. He will give allegiance to its leaders and people.

But he will always have a second allegiance, an even higher allegiance, to his home country and leader. He will serve Iraq, but he will also serve America. And if he must choose between the two, his loyalties are clear: he serves America.

Like that ambassador, we are each to obey and support our governing authorities: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).

“For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:6–7).

But we are also to obey and serve our Lord.

Peter explains well the relationship between Christ and Caesar: “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. . . . Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:13–14, 17).

Love people, fear God, and honor the state. Do not fear people or the state, but God alone. In other words, serve your highest authority.

When you can serve Christ and state, serve both. If you must choose, choose Christ.

The same apostles who taught us to serve the Empire were martyred by these emperors because they would not stop preaching the gospel. Serve your highest authority, always.

Where might you have to choose between your country and God?

Are you ready to sacrifice comfort, and even your life, if you need to obey God over your country?

Do you idolize your country at the expense of your allegiance to God?