PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Acts 22:22-29
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” (Acts 22:25)
Paul was a Roman citizen by birth, and here it works to his advantage.
But though Paul uses his citizenship here, he knows his real citizenship.
“Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20)
Paul could be a Roman citizen, but his loyalty was to Jesus, not Caesar, as Lord.
This makes me think about my stance on citizenship, on being Canadian.
My primary identity is as a child of God and a follower of Jesus – this is my priority.
Only in a secondary way am I a citizen of Canada.
I enjoy the benefits of belonging to this system, and I share some responsibilities.
But my commitment to Canada is always qualified and secondary, for a greater cause.
My Canadian citizenship is functional, serving a purpose, useful for my primary mission.
I serve fellow Canadians BECAUSE I serve Jesus, not just because I am Canadian.
And my goal is to make them citizens of the Jesus kingdom, to become as I am.
If a time were to come where these would clash, I choose loyalty to Jesus.
Thankfully this is not the case now; I can use my worldly citizenship to serve my Lord.
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for bringing me into God’s kingdom. Thank you also for the opportunity that Canadian citizenship provides me. May I use this opportunity well, to help all people experience, seek and enjoy your kingdom first!
Paul’s citizenship by birthplace – as a Roman citizen entitled him to certain rights – which the commander respected once he found out. Living overseas I also had respect for my Canadian citizenship – it garnered a lot of respect in most places. People want to come to Canada so many ‘cosy’ up to you and want help so that they too can come to Canada. As a Christian in some places I also got respect but in others not. More open minded people wanted to know more about the Christian faith and even some wanted me to pray for them – even though they were ‘Muslim or Hindu’. My citizenship as a Christ follower means a lot of things to different people. The name ‘Christian’ often carries with it a lot of negative baggage for many people. It is regrettable. the lesson is that citizens of Jesus are watched – we live in a glass bubble – yet we are human and we need to be genuine about our humanness – we are not saints – we are ‘works-in-progress’ too! We have contend with a tarnished label while being citizen’s of Christ’s kingdom! Lord help me bear a positive witness for you!
Citizenship has its privileges.
As a Canadian I am free to live according to the laws of the land.
That freedom means that I am also free to serve my King freely.
May others see that service – living for Jesus.
Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness;
And all these things shall be added unto you.
Hallelu, Hallelujah!