Your True Citizenship!

Dear Friend,

Here of late our country has had many conversations and disputes about what it means to be an American: If all citizens aren’t allotted the same freedoms can America then be the Land of the free? Who are our enemies? What is our duty as American citizens to fight injustice, even if it comes from the Oval Office? We listen and debate amongst ourselves about our role as citizens.

Citizen is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as, “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it. A civilian as distinguished from a specialized servant of the state.”

Citizens have many duties or tasks owed to the state which they are native to: abiding by the laws of the land, voting, and taking up arms to protect and defend, to name a few.

We are reminded in scripture that as believers of Christ we are heirs to the throne, which in turn makes us citizens of Heaven. As foreigners of this world we must find harmony between our allegiance to Heaven and duties as Americans. In Philippians Paul reminds us how to live as citizens of Heaven.

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 30 We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it.”

I find that often I forget about my Heavenly citizenship. I am distracted by the trivial constructs of being a human, my physical beauty, meeting deadlines, abiding by social norms, etc., that I quickly lose sight of my most important role: a citizen of Heaven. I begin to forsake essential tasks that coincide with this honor. For example Paul declares that we should not be, “intimidated yet our enemies.” We are reminded in Ephesians 6 that our enemies are, “evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and evil spirits.” The chapter continues, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”

Am I putting on my armor each day? Am I stepping into my role as a soldier ready for battle; fighting against the true enemies? No. It’s a task I take on some days. It’s a prayer I choose to pray when I feel like it. Can you imagine American soldiers fighting sometimes, or when ether they remembered to? How is it that I’m so willing to allow Satan to infiltrate the front lines. My marriage, my children, my purpose. Can I say that each day I’m armed ready to fight these enemies?

Paul goes on to discuss the honor of suffering as a citizen. The honor my friends. Again I compare this to being an American soldier. These soldiers return home and receive the utmost respect from civilians. They are given special privileges, holidays, and resources. It is an honor to serve, to fight, to die for the country.

How often do we consider it an honor a privilege to suffer for Heaven? I find myself complaining most days, but what would it look like to put on my armor each day with a spirit of gratitude?

Are you ready to fight for your King? Did you suit up this morning?

Check out today's Coffee and Conversations with LaKisha: https://youtu.be/kVebPV_SvCI

Fighting the Good Fight,

The Anonymous Wife