Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of EmpireSample

An Upside-Down Kingdom

Christ’s command to love our enemies became the early church’s most distinguishing feature. In fact, Matthew 5:44 was the most quoted verse in the first three hundred years of the church: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” You can find virtually all other Christian values promoted in other religious systems. But enemy love sets Christianity apart from the rest.

The same is true today. If we are going to be a compelling prophetic witness in society, the church must be known for its love for enemies. And yet the same outrage that permeates society fills our pews and our social media feeds. It’s not shocking when our secular society of Babylon does this. The empire thinks they gain power by destroying their enemies. But when the church looks no different—and divides along the same left/right Babylonian lines—then Satan must be doubled over laughing.

During the Covid pandemic, for instance, we saw whole churches divide over things like whether we should wear masks. It’s a sad day when the unity of the church, created by the death and resurrection of our King, can be torn apart by a six-inch mask. If we can’t love and honor a brother or sister in Christ because he or she wears or doesn’t wear a mask, how are we going to take on “the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, spiritual forces in the heavens” (Ephesians 6:12)—the real enemy?

Against the backdrop of Israel’s anti-nation-like nation—as well as the Babylonian exile, Jesus’ upside-down kingdom, Paul’s counter-imperial gospel, Peter’s exilic community, and John’s revelation that all empires are beasts co-opted by Satan and defeated by a sacrificial Lamb—the church is called to embrace its exile.

Viewing ourselves as exiles in the shadow of empire should cultivate a kind of theological wedge between our allegiance to Christ and our commitment to the nation we’re living in. Christians will continue to debate various political issues. But believing that the crucified and resurrected Lamb rules the universe should be radical enough to bind the church together as citizens of an upside-down kingdom that’s conquering the world through sacrificial love.

What change can you make personally in how you speak, act, or interact on social media that shows a genuine love for your enemy?