Like all kingdoms, the kingdom of God is political in nature. As a result, the kingdom requires allegiance from its citizens. But what about our natural citizenship to the country in which we are born? Can it come in conflict with our citizenship to the New Jerusalem which is to come?
The kingdom of God should affect our loyalties. Our relationship to the coming kingdom should challenge our identity and limit our patriotism. Kingdom citizens submit to the governing authorities, pay taxes, and give proper honor to rulers, but they do not act against the interests of our coming king. Ultimately, our allegiance lies with Jesus as Lord (ruler/king). This revelation means that “my country right or wrong” can’t work for kingdom citizens. It means that we have to learn to think in tune with God’s kingdom rather than accepting blind patriotism. Believing in the kingdom really does change our whole outlook on life.
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Author: Sean Finnegan
Keywords: kingdom of God, kingdom of heaven, allegiance, Battle of Actium, actium, anthony and cleopatra, Octavian, Caesar, Caesar Augustus, triumphal entry, Jesus' triumphal entry, Pacifism, Pacifist, Warfare, Christian soldiers, Should Christians fight, Should Christians join the military, Christian fighters, Christian pacifism, Thou shalt not kill, Killing is wrong, Fighting is wrong, Military service, Military participation, Christian military, Conscientious objector, Conscientious objection, Conscientious objection to war, Objection to war, Joining the military, Killing in war, Militarism, Military, Governments, Rulers, Governing authorities, Governing authority, Military duty, Patriotism, Patriotic, Relationship to the State, Christian relationship to the State, Christians killing, Christians killing for the State, Killing for the state, Killing for one's country, Is is wrong to be a soldier, Church and state, Serve in the military, Blood Guilt, non-resistance, serving in the army, serving in the military, police, police force, police officer, citizenship, citizen, citizenship in heaven, pledge of allegiance
Bible reference(s): John 4:22, Isaiah 11:6-10, Isaiah 65:25, Hosea 2:18, Ezekiel 37:24-26, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Ecclesiastes 12:7, John 14:3, John 18:36, Luke 17:21, Luke 23:43, Matthew 16:28, Matthew 24:34, Philippians 1:23, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:10, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 6:10, Luke 11:2, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 7:21, Matthew 8:11, Matthew 10:7, Matthew 11:11, Matthew 11:12, Matthew 12:28, Matthew 13:11, Matthew 13:24, Matthew 13:31, Matthew 13:33, Matthew 13:44, Matthew 13:45, Matthew 13:47, Matthew 13:52, Matthew 16:19, Matthew 18:1, Matthew 18:3, Matthew 18:4, Matthew 18:23, Matthew 19:14, Matthew 19:23, Matthew 19:24, Matthew 20:1, Matthew 21:31, Matthew 21:43, Matthew 22:2, Matthew 23:13, Matthew 25:1, Matthew 25:14, Mark 1:14, Mark 1:15, Mark 4:11, Mark 4:26, Mark 4:30, Mark 9:1, Mark 9:47, Mark 10:14, Mark 10:15, Mark 10:23, Mark 10:24, Mark 10:25, Mark 12:34, Mark 14:25, Mark 15:43, Luke 4:43, Luke 6:20, Luke 7:28, Luke 8:1, Luke 8:10, Luke 9:2, Luke 9:11, Luke 9:27, Luke 9:60, Luke 9:62, Luke 10:9, Luke 10:11, Luke 11:20, Luke 12:31, Luke 13:18, Luke 13:20, Luke 13:28, Luke 13:29, Luke 14:15, Luke 16:16, Luke 17:20, Luke 17:21, Luke 18:16, Luke 18:17, Luke 18:24, Luke 18:25, Luke 19:11, Luke 21:31, Luke 22:16, Luke 22:18, Luke 23:51, John 3:3, John 3:5, Acts 1:3, Acts 8:12, Acts 14:22, Acts 19:8, Acts 20:25, Acts 28:23, Acts 28:31, Romans 14:17, 1 Corinthians 4:20, 1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Corinthians 15:50, Galatians 5:21, Colossians 4:11, 2 Thessalonians 1:5, Mat 5:39, Matthew 5:44, Mat 26:52, John 18:36, Romans 12:19, Romans 13:1-4, 1 Corinthians 7:23, Philippians 3:20, 1 Peter 1:1, 1 Peter 1:17, 1 Peter 2:11, Heb 11:13-16, Heb 13:14
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