As a Christian, I have more in common with brothers and sisters in Christ in other countries than I do with non-believing citizens of the U.S. If you’ve never traveled internationally and spent time with believers in other countries, this may be difficult to grasp. If you have been blessed to experience this, then you know how incredibly quick a bond is formed in spite of language or cultural barriers. Why is that?
Well, the Bible tells us Christians are foreigners, exiles, refugees, and strangers in this world (1 Pet. 1:17; 2:11). It tells us our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20). It tells us even now Christians have come to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where we’ve already joined with thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly to worship the Lord (Heb. 12:18-24). Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). That’s a lot of important common ground! You will bond quickly with those with whom you have a common core identity.
This world is not our primary home or identity. We swear absolute allegiance to no one and no thing other than the King of the universe. So, Christian, never be ashamed of being first and foremost a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ.
