Thursday, November 06, 2008

Dual Citizenship

My people were Pilgrim Holiness. The name is a descriptor. The holiness aspect has been emphasized alot in my posts. Today, 2 days after the national election, I feel the need to stress the pilgrim aspect a little.

Many of my friends and relatives are in a state of concern, mourning and dismay after the election returns placed a liberal Democrat in the White House. My people are by nature conservative. Some have a feeling of disappointment and others a sense of dread.

But I can't get very worked up about it all. I remember the dejection and fear that gripped the conservatives when Bill Clinton was elected. I remember the predictions of woe and doom. I bought in to the fear and sadness. But we survived that period.

I remember the joy and expectation when the Republican regained the White House and Congress. Again, I bought in to the euphoria. But the Republican-controlled White House and Congress turned out to be not so very different in spending and power-grabbing for the next 8 years. We survived that period.

I keep coming to a bedrock belief that Washington, D.C. is not the center of my universe. The places of power in this world are not my hope.

"My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand. All other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand."

Today, I want to affirm my Pilgrim roots. I am a dual citizen. I am an active citizen of the United States of America. I am thankful for the blessings I enjoy here. I support my country.

But I am a dual citizen. Heaven is my native land, through Jesus Christ. My country has a King, that is not subject to polls or the "will of the people." Because He is just and good and all-powerful, His governance goes on uninterupted in peace and stability.

The Roman Empire was falling to pieces. Internal corruption from the power-hungry and external invasions from barbarians tore at it. By this time the Church was the official religion and no longer an underground movement. The believers were losing hope as they saw their City being destroyed. Then Augustine called for a refocus of faith, not in the City of men (the body politic) but in the City of God (the body of Christ), the "eduring city" of Hebrews 13.14.

So today, brothers and sisters, both Democrates and Republican, Independents and Greens and Libertarians, work hard to bring righteousness, justice and peace to our land in the name of the Kingdom. Support, campaign and vote your conscience.

But look not to the City on the Potomac, look to the Coming City! Keep the anchor for your future hopes in the King who comes! Only on the New Earth will our pilgramage be over.

1 comment:

Dale Argot said...

Chris,

Great commentary as well. Thanks for holding the torch high!

Dale