What does your citizenship mean to you?

What does your citizenship mean to you?

For a growing number of American citizens abroad, not much.  In 2012, 189 American citizens renounced their citizenship.  In the second quarter of 2013, that number 1,131.  While this is a small proportion of the 6 million Americans living abroad it's still interesting.

The biggest reason these expatriates give is financial.  The U.S. has gotten serious about collecting taxes.  For most, the issue's not about avoiding taxes, but the expense that goes with the crazy amount of paperwork.  Their American citizenship is just not worth it.

What does your citizenship mean to you?  

For the Philippian Christians, their citizenship meant a lot.  Philippi was proud to be a Roman colony.  With that came both privilege and responsibility.  They identified as Romans in their dress, their food, their culture.  If threatened, Caesar's military protect them.  Roman roads assured that Philippi would always be a center of commercial activity.  They submitted to Roman rule and bowed down to Roman authority.  Philippi represented Rome in her little spot on the Aegean Sea. Their Roman citizenship meant a lot.  

However, as Christians, they had a far more glorious citizenship.

But our citizenship is in heaven,

and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body,

by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 3:20-21

What does this citizenship mean to you?  

Just like the Philippians had privilege and responsibility that came with being Roman citizens, we have privilege and responsibility that comes with being heavenly citizens.  Here are a few:  

Identity

We have an identity. Although our passport labels us as citizens of this country or that, we are truly citizens of the City of God.  We are an outpost people on mission to represent the King until he returns.  We are a Kingdom colony.  We have an identity.  

Savior

We have a savior.  And it's not a program or a president.  Our savior is the Savior.  He saved us once, but he saves us continually, and there will be an ultimate Day when our salvation is complete.  We have a Savior.  

Future

We have a future.  When the Day comes our Savior will come.  Our bodies will match the beauty of the  inside-out transformational work that was initiated when Jesus transferred us from the reign of darkness into his Kingdom.  No more tears. No more aches.  No more cancer, or diabetes, or ouchies.  We will have work to do, glorious work that is completely satisfying.  We have a future. 

King

We have a King.  Although we honor those in authority, ultimately we serve the One King.  He reigns and rules, and yet he allows the prince of this world to operate on a leash.  But there will be a Day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is Lord.  There will be a Day when every earthly authority operates in complete submission to his authority.  We have a King.  

Purpose

We have purpose right now. We don't spend this life pining, and moaning, and whining.  We have work in this "now."  We are ambassadors, partners, co-laborers.  Individually we have specialized assignments.  Collectively we join hands in representing the King in the world.  We have purpose.  

I'm with N.T. Wright

Christians should live in the present as members, already, of the world that is yet to be.  This new-age reality was inaugurated at Easter, and will be completed, through the powerful return of Jesus, in and through the final resurrection of all his people.  (Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church)

What does your citizenship mean to you?  Which of these privileges or responsibilities that come with being citizens of heaven are particularly valuable for you?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  

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