Terror and Christian Citizenship (Romans 13:1-7; 3:13-19, 17-21)

Where: College Baptist Church

When: October 28, 2001

Why: To discuss the difference between being a good American citizen and a Kingdom of God citizen; to show that God requires that we make His Kingdom and His Kingdom purposes our focus and highest priority.

Text: Romans 13:1-7; 3:13-19, 17-21

Introduction

On Tuesday this week, Paul Harvey offered an interesting contrast in the reactions of young people during the Vietnam era and that of today. In the '60s there were demonstrations and numerous incidents of flag burning and draft dodging. Today 500 college students a day are signing up for the CIA, FBI, military. Normally, 600 per week apply for these types of jobs. According to Paul Harvey, there have been over 30,000 applications since September 11.

It's a good time for patriotism in America. Flag sales are up. So are T-shirts. We shouldn't measure patriotism is hard currency and supply and demand- but it seems an awful lot of people want these symbols of freedom, democracy and America. Standing together, united, working for a common cause are all reflected in our patriotic symbols.

You see it other times too. When the national anthem plays, it seems we stand a bit taller. And it seems there are more hands raised respectfully to the heart. There's a good feel to this patriotic fervor.

Dual citizenship of true Christians

We recognize this morning, though, that Christians are people of dual citizenship. Those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ, who live under His Lordship, who recognize Him as King, are citizens of another place as well. Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world . . . my kingdom is from another place" (John 18:36). Living with Christ as King, is recognizing the truth that there is a higher Kingdom that is separate from earthly political systems.

A good Christian is a exemplary citizen, first in Christ's Kingdom, then, his or her nation. Now I know that's a bit like double-speak- good and Christian, I mean. For example, does "bad" and "Christian" go together? Not really. I'm assuming if one is a Christian, one is a good Christian, that is, living a life that clearly reflects the presence and values of Jesus Christ, a life through which He is being glorified.

Let's read portions for Scripture that will provided the platform for our understanding of our dual Christian citizenship. In each passage, please note that for the Christian, our starting point and ending point finds itself in God. It is who He is and who we are as a result of His centrality in our lives that makes us good Christian citizens.

Romans 13:1-7. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴ For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. ⁵ Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

A second portion of Scripture that provides a platform for Christian dual citizenship is found in Philippians. These verses are significant not only because of what they say but because of who said them and the circumstances under which they were written. Paul, a Roman citizen, as well as an ambassador for Jesus Christ, writes from prison in Rome. His attitude is instructive.

Philippians 1:27. ²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

Philippians 2:9-11. ⁹Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 3:13-14, 17-21. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. . . ¹⁷ Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. ¹⁸ For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Characteristics of Christian citizenship in an earthy government

Let's consider first what it means to be a good Christian citizen in an earthly government. What are some of the characteristics of Christian citizenship in a country that is "of this world?"

1. A Christian citizen recognizes that human government is established under the sovereignty of God.
1. Romans 13:1, 2. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. ² Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
2. The basis for being a good citizens as a Christian finds itself in God and His rule in the world.
3. Indeed, it is His sovereignty over all things that, as Christians, is the basis for our being good citizens. Because He is sovereign over established governments, we are good citizens for the Christians submission first, foremost, and ultimately is to God's sovereign reign as King. The bottom line for the Christian, is God's authority in our lives.
4. That's why verse 2 can declare that if we are rebelling against authority, we are rebelling against what God has instituted.
5. With God's sovereign rule as the basis for our relationship to government, there are a number of characteristics of Christian citizenship that result.
2. A Christian citizen is a law-keeper, not a lawbreaker.
1. Romans 13:1. Submit to governing authorities.
2. Romans 13:3, 4. ³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. ⁴ For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
3. 1 Peter 2:13-17. ¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. ¹⁵ For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. ¹⁶ Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
4. This is not to say there is not time when civil disobedience is appropriate. When the law of man is contrary to the will of God, God's law prevails. His express will must be obeyed over the laws of man. An example of this is Daniel's persistance in daily prayer- three times a day from his open window- even after the king had been tricked into making a law against praying to anyone other than his image.
3. A Christian citizen is an honest, faithful tax-payer.
1. Romans 13:6, 7. ⁶ This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. ⁷ Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue.
2. When the Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus with the famous tax question- "Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"- Jesus replied by asking for a Roman coin, the denarius. He asked who's inscription was on it. We know that they replied that it was Caesar's. Jesus said, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's" (Luke 20:25).
4. A Christian citizen has an attitude of honor and respect toward authorities.
1. Romans 13:7. Give everyone what you owe him . . . if respect, then respect; if honor then honor.
2. 1 Peter 2:16, 17. ¹⁶ Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
5. A Christian citizen prays for governing authorities.
1. 1 Timothy 2:1, 2. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone- ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
2. The goal of our prayer is for a civic and political atmosphere that would be conducive to the spread of the Gospel of Christ.
6. A Christian citizen is a good neighbor.
1. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus responded the expert in the law that the greatest commandment was to love the Lord God with all our heart and soul, and the second was to love our neighbor as ourselves.
2. Being a good neighbor is foundational in civilized society and in citizenship. The love that Christ puts in our hearts puts the needs and interests of our neighbors on the front burner of our lives.
3. A good neighbor not only prays for and shows concern for one's immediate neighborhood, but it would also be concerned about the needs of the community. And since Jesus used the parable of the Good Samaritan as an example of neighborliness, it would seem that a Christian citizen would particular be concerned about the needs of community members who were in hardship situations.

Characteristics of Christian citizenship in the Kingdom of God

What about being a citizen of the kingdom of God? What typifies this aspect of our dual citizenship?

I think you may already sense the overlap. To be a good Christian who is an exemplary citizen is primarily a Kingdom of God thing. For example, acknowledging the sovereignty of God over the kingdoms of this world becomes the foundation of our attitudes as earthly citizens. And the citizen characteristics which flow from those attitudes- the honesty and integrity, the honor and respect, the prayer life, the love for neighbors- flow from who we are in Christ as a part of His Kingdom.

I think this is why Paul can say in Philippians 1: 27, ²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. When Paul says "conduct yourself" it's a term that has do with the obligations of citizenship. The International Standard Version translates it like this: ²⁷The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.

I like William Barclay's insights on this passage. "Paul was writing from the very centre of the Roman Empire, from Rome itself; it was the fact that he was a Roman citizen that had brought him there. Philippi was a Roman colony; and Roman colonies were little bits of Rome planted throughout the world, where the citizens never forgot that they were Romans, spoke the Latin language, wore the Latin dress, called their magistrates by the Latin names, however far they might be from Rome. So what Paul is saying is, 'You and I know full well the privileges and the responsibilities of being a Roman citizen. You know full well how even in Philippi, so many miles from Rome, you must still live and act as a Roman does. Well then, remember that you have an even higher duty than that. Wherever you are you must live as befits a citizen of the Kingdom of God.'"

Paul shows this is what's on his mind in 2:10, 11. He exhorts us to have a humble, servant attitude of Christ . . . and exalts that God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. This Jesus in whom we believe, whose name we claim, is King!

This morning, we prayed, Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. There is a sense in which the Kingdom of God is yet to come- He will establish a physical reign here on earth one day. There is another sense in which it is a part of us right now. Jesus said that kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:20). Where the King is, where He is, is His Kingdom. Barclay observes, "The best way to think of the Kingdom is to think of it as a society on earth where God's will is as perfectly done as it is in heaven. To be a citizen of the Kingdom, and to do God's will, are one and the same thing."

As Americans, we have been steeped in democracy and a republican form of government. It is a good form of government. But the democratic idea of having a say, a vote, about every facet of our lives is not what the Kingdom of God is about. It is not about our will, but about His. Our primary authority is a theocracy, not a democracy. God rules as King. We sing, and mean it, "all hail, King Jesus, all hail, Emmanuel!"

In accomplishing God's will, Paul shows us by example, the priority, the focus that typifies the Christian citizen's tenure in this world. In 3:12-14, regarding the full knowledge of Christ for which he longs and conformity to His example and will, Paul declares, ¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Do you sense his priority in this? But one thing I do. . . He can't wait for the joy of being in the presence of His King, the One whom he serves with all of his heart. In 3:20, he exults, ²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

In the meantime, we enjoy the presence of the King in our daily walk. We thrill that the Kingdom "is within you." We delight in doing His will. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thy will be done in my heart, today. Thy will be done through my attitudes, today. Thy will be done through my actions, today. Jesus tells me to seek first His Kingdom and all the concerns for daily needs will be cared for (Matthew 6:33, 34). Yes, seek first His Kingdom.

Conclusion

"Edith Cavell, the British nurse killed by Germans in World War I, was captured. Just before the bandage was placed over her eyes for the firing squad, she said: "I am glad to die for my country. But I realize that patriotism is not enough." Then she gave clear and definite testimony to her personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and assurance of salvation. She died under the firing squad in 1915."

Dual citizenship- with a loyalty to an unseen Kingdom that is higher, bigger, grander, and eternal. The commitment and citizenship of Edith Cavell played out over and over by loyal citizens throughout the world- committed first to God, and under His will, also to country.

A good Christian is a exemplary citizen, first in Christ's Kingdom, then, his or her nation.

What does God require of us today?

• Trust. He is the sovereign King. He governing authorities are placed in their positions by His purpose and plan for our benefit. Even in the times of terror, He is worthy of our trust.
• Submission. As sovereign, He requires that we surrender to Him, making His will, lived for His glory, our motivating desire in life. And as good Christians, this consequently makes us good Americans, good Filipinos, good Chinese, good Afghans, as well.
• Dedication. We seek His Kingdom first. This one thing I do. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done.