As we celebrated Independence Day this week, we gave thanks for our country and our many freedoms – remembering the privileges, as well as the responsibilities, we enjoy as citizens of the United States.
While I am so proud to be an American, I do not let my patriotism define who I am. In actuality, I am a dual citizen. I consider my primary citizenship to be in God’s kingdom. It is the eternal citizenship. I am a member of God’s family – a citizen of heaven – and it is that citizenship that tells me how to be an American citizen, not the other way around.
My point is that we are Christians first and Americans second. That is part of what it means to say, “Jesus Christ is Lord!” Jesus is Lord, and everything else in life bows to Him. Jesus is Lord, and even America must bow to that Lordship, now or someday. Jesus is Lord, and no other power, church, political party, or country can ever get our unquestioning loyalty. Jesus Christ is Lord!
“Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored His name above all others. So,
at the name of Jesus, everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the
earth. And to the glory of God the Father, everyone will openly agree, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’”
(Philippians 2:9-11)
As we continue to remember and celebrate our nation’s independence, I pray you join me in saying, “I am grateful for being an American, but even more grateful for being a Christian.”
God’s Best…Steven