Happy Independence Day!

The atmosphere on July 4 is a special one.  People celebrate.  Many set aside politics to jointly appreciate being citizens of America.  Patriotism is on display.

When I was young, one of the most popular ways that boys could become better citizens was through the Boy Scouts.  Though I joined when the club was brought to my hometown, we never actually met (or did anything).  However, the oath of a Boy Scout is good for all to consider: “On my honor I will do m best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Being a good citizen is a good thing, but what that means to people can vary.  Most think of a good citizen as one who is law-abiding, productive, and patriotic.  Those are not bad qualities for a citizen of America.

But are you a Christian?  If so, do you realize that we have dual citizenship.  We are citizens of our country and citizens of Heaven.  Paul even stated in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

We are citizens here on Earth, but as Christians we also are citizens of our Heavenly home.  That dual status can cause some confusion if someone focuses more on citizenship in a country because we can get a little too comfortable with the culture and the systems.  At the same time, it can cause some confusion if someone ignores their citizenship here because they know that life isn’t very long on Earth and because Jesus is returning.

So – how can we be good citizens here and forevermore?  How can we be a truly good citizen of our country and our Heavenly home?

I’m glad you asked.  Jesus stated in Matthew 22:37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important command.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

There it is.  We must do what is right here and there.  We must realize that as citizens of Heaven, we are ambassadors to those who have not chosen to settle their eternity.  We must reach out to our fellow countrymen to share the hope, freedom, and peace that only Jesus can offer.  We must help point this world to the Savior while pointing our own hearts to Heaven; that is the only way anyone can find what we all need.

So – may God bless America.  And may He do it through us.

The following book can really help us navigate what this means…