Exhortation, November 12: Patriots of The Kingdom

This past Tuesday, November 7th, voters in the United States went to polls in excerise of their right to participate in the electoral process. Judging from the outcome, the people have spoken for change, giving the democrats control of the American Congress for the first time since 1994.

Certainly, the issues leading to this change included the ever present "war on terror", illegal immigration, social and family issues, plus a host of others. But what we are considering today is what does it mean to be a patriot of the Kingdom of God?

Brother Mathew de Caussin helps us understand in the following exhort. Originally offered in December of 2001, it is presented here with minimal alteration.

May our Great God and King bless your week as you sojourn into the coming kingdom.

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Patriots of God's Kingdom

Amidst the turmoil of fear and emotion resulting from the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 it is good for us to remember the message delivered to king Nebuchadnezzar: "The most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will" (Dan. 4:25). God is working with the countries of the world to fulfill His purpose; whether they are the United States, Britain, Afghanistan, Iraq or Russia, they are all under His control. This is not to say that God caused the New York tragedy, only that He allows unruly and evil elements in society to run their course in the furtherance of His purpose. However distasteful it might seem for us to think that God would allow such atrocities, we must concede to His judgment.

Conditions and attitudes have changed so quickly that we need to be reminded of our godly perspective and responsibilities. How should we as children of God behave in these troublesome times? For example, how do we respond to the person who offers a flag pin or ribbon for our car? What should be our stance if we are asked to fly a national flag and participate in the rising surge of patriotism? Should we support our country, a kingdom of men, or do we only support the kingdom of God? To find answers to our queries, let us turn to the source of all wisdom, the Bible:

Answers from scripture

First of all, where is our true citizenship? "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:11-13, NIV as all quotes). As Gentiles, we would have been without hope in the world, but because of Christ’s sacrifice we are brought into the family of Abraham becoming citizens of spiritual Israel and heirs of the promises (Gal. 3:29).

Yet what role does our national citizenship in the country of our birth play in our lives? Here a consideration of an incident in the life of Paul is enlightening. When in imminent danger of being flogged, disclosure of his Roman citizenship served to provide Paul with protection (Acts 22:25-29). He did not feel it necessary to denounce his citizenship, deeming it a blessing that allowed him to preach with power and freedom. Today, American brethren and sisters, in common with many who live in a democracy, can claim the same privilege and blessing.

Paul also tackles the problem of relating to the world as servants of God:

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone; the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God (II Cor. 5:16-20).

Similarly in the letter to the Ephesian ecclesia:

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should (Eph. 6:19-20).

Ambassadors of God

We are ambassadors of God’s message and have the responsibility to make the country of our true citizenship known to those around us. Foreign ambassadors refrain from participation in local politics and so do we. Does this mean that we consider ourselves to be above the laws of the land? On the contrary, we are commanded to be law abiding and pray for those in authority: "that we my lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty" (I Tim. 2:2). Nevertheless, when conflicts in allegiance occur: "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).

God gives us further instruction on how to behave toward the governments of our land of residence:

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men (Titus 3:1-2).

We are expected to be obedient, humble and respectful; even though we are not of this world, we still have the responsibility to behave as conscientious citizens. We are to pay taxes, pay our bills, and give respect and honor where it is due. It behoves us to be an example to non-believers because we are representing our God and King:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king (I Peter 2:9-17).

We are, by God’s grace, living in this world, but we are not to be of the world:

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world, the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17).

A time of testing

Sadly America and her allies are at war and it is possible our young people may be called to arms. This scenario would of course necessitate brethren appearing before a board of tribunal to justify their refusal to defend the country (ambassadors do not participate in the battles of their hosting country). The Lord Jesus made the rationale clear: "My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence" (Jn. 18:36). For years, we have enjoyed the privilege of living in a country at peace; however, things have changed and we may be facing a time of testing. Strength to continue our walk toward the kingdom can be drawn from such occasions as this when we remember the trials and testing of the Lord and the fact that he endured them all for our sakes.

Now it is time to summarize our thoughts. We have seen that although we have no permanent place in the world, as representatives of God we should have complete respect and honor for the country in which we live. If we are confronted about an apparent lack of patriotism, we should be ready to give an answer. (Maybe committing a phrase to memory would help. Something like: "We are God’s ambassadors who are respectfully living in this free country waiting for His Kingdom to come; for this reason we cannot be a part of the politics of the world").

As King Nebuchadnezzar came to realize, God is in control of the kingdom of men. It’s important to await the unfolding of God’s purpose and not attempt to conform His plan to our preconceptions. Until the ushering in of the kingdom of God, we are required to remain law abiding, submissive to authority, and an example to those with whom we come in contact. May it be that the one we have come to remember in the bread and wine will soon return and, in his mercy, allow us to serve him by flying the flag of righteousness throughout eternity.

Mathew de Caussin