What Christian citizenship looks like – Reflecting God, Part 3

Note: In this post we welcome guest blogger, David Hundert. David is studying in Kairos University – Evangelical Seminary’s Master of Divinity program.

We can look at people, and based on what we see outwardly, we can sometimes determine what their heritage is, where their family might be from or what culture they were raised in. For instance, we can look at an individual and say, “They might have Asian heritage,” or “Their heritage is from India.”

Also, as we get to know people, we can determine the environment that they were raised in. For instance, when a child is raised in a home where they are beaten quite often, it’s been said that they can grow up into a bully. If a child is raised in a home where empathy and understanding are the language most often spoken, they grow up into caring individuals.

These are generalities. These aren’t definitive examples, and there are always exceptions to the rules. However, I say all this to make a point. When someone looks at us, can they tell what our heritage is? What can they tell about the way we were raised? Can they tell who our Father is? Can they tell that our home isn’t of this world? Philippians 3:20 states,

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

How can we reflect the country that our citizenship most accurately represents? In 1 John 4, verses 7 and 8 we read:

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

Our heritage is to love! If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, and His Spirit lives in us, shouldn’t it be evident to those around us? There’s an old rhetorical question that asks, “If we were arrested and charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict us?”

What would the prosecution look for as evidence? They would look to see if we loved one another. Look at the example of Paul in Scripture. The same man who persecuted and tried to destroy the Church, after coming face to face with the Lord, learned what it means to love. He’s responsible for more instruction about love and how to love, then anyone else who contributed to the New Testament. For example, Paul writes this in Romans 12, verses 9-18,

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

If we were to live by those guidelines, what would we look like? What would people see? Is this what the Church looked like in Acts chapter 2, verses 44-47, where Luke writes,

“All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

Is this what love looks like? In the case of the early Church, was this the evidence that would convict them? It was their love, one for another. It was evident in how they cared for one another. Even Jesus Himself, when asked in Matthew 22:36–40,

“’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘”Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’”

Love is at the heart of the two greatest commandments. How can we practice that kind of love? What does it look life in today’s world, for us to love unconditionally? Wouldn’t it be great, if there was a spot in Scripture that would walk us through what that would look like? In the next post, we’ll find that spot.

Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash