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I AM A CITIZEN OF GOD'S KINGDOM
Now that you have established a foundation for your identity found in Ephesians 1-2, we’ll spend the rest of this study digging beneath the surface of some prevailing identity markers of our day.
One of the catchphrases of our modern time is “identity politics.” Political positions seem to be exclusively based on identity issues such as gender, race, or sexual orientation. But there is a much more sinister problem, and that is when politics becomes your identity. The political polarization of the world is evident. But polarization is just one problem. The greater issue is the morphing of politics into a religion. For many, politics isn’t more important than their religion; politics has become their religion.
How do you know if politics has become your religion? You have become so entangled with your political ideology that if someone pushes back on your politics, they are pushing back on the core of who you are. All your beliefs have become enmeshed, so to critique a political leader is to critique your party. And to critique your party is to critique your values, maybe even how you read the Bible and your conception of God. The critique hits you at your core, your deepest center, your identity.
But the truth is that as a Christian, you are a citizen of a different Kingdom that is not defined by political parties or borders.
In Mark 12, kingdoms collide when the religious leaders lay a trap for Jesus. It appears that if Jesus responds either yes or no, he will be in trouble with someone. But Jesus doesn’t take sides and responds with the wisdom of the Spirit of God.
Ask Yourself:
-How is Jesus’ response a foundational statement for a Christian view of politics and religion?
-If all Christians are citizens of God’s Kingdom, how does that impact how we treat one another, regardless of political opinions or nationality?
-Reflecting on Revelation 7:9-10, what is God’s vision for all humanity, united in His Kingdom?
Pause to Pray: Lord, I belong to you. Teach me to live as a citizen of your Kingdom…
Take a Next Step: Go back to your journal- did politics find its way onto your list of identity markers? In what practical way can you live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom when you find yourself in a conversation about politics?
About this Plan
Who are you? Explore God’s word in Ephesians 1-2 and discover how your authentic self, your true identity, has been stolen by labels and the broken systems of the world around you. Dig beneath the surface of some prevailing identity markers to discover God’s truth for who you are and how you are called to live in and out of that truth.
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