Citizenship
Lonnie Fritz
Recently some of the members of this congregation (some more recently than others) became citizens of the United States including: Carmen R., Gabriela M., Mario M., Jr., Maria M.,and Jairo R.. Also, currently in the process of becoming American citizens are, Yohana M., Mario M., Sr., Andrew & Sandra V. and Maria & Natalia R.. (I may have missed someone, if so, sorry about that; these are the ones that I know about). May I say first of all, congratulations!
My wife and I attended one of the recent swearing in ceremonies during which two of the above officially became citizens. It was a wonderful and very moving procedure. The judge presiding said to all of those becoming citizens, “You are becoming American citizens the hard way. You had to work, study and learn a lot of things about this country. Most of us Americans did it the easy way, we were just born here. But you have chosen to be a citizen of the United States.” The judge then told them that America is made up of people from all different backgrounds blending together to make our country strong. He illustrated that by having all of the 5,000 people all at one time shout their country of origin. What was heard was not one distinguishable name, but a powerful sound.
The apostle Paul was a Roman citizen. On a couple of occasions recorded in Acts Paul mentions his Roman citizenship. The first time was after he and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned in the city of Philippi. “But Paul said to them, ‘They have beaten us in public without trial, men who are Romans, and have thrown us into prison; and now are they sending us away secretly? No indeed! But let them come themselves and bring us out.’ The policemen reported these words to the chief magistrates. They were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.” (Acts 16:37-38) The next time Paul decided to use the “Roman citizen card” before the scourging began. Acts 22:25-29 records how Paul asked the Roman centurion, “Is it lawful to scourge an uncondemned Roman citizen?” In both cases the officials got concerned real fast when Paul mentioned his Roman citizenship. Why? Because under Roman law if a Roman citizenship was treated contrary to the law, then those responsible would receive a greater punishment than what they inflicted. Citizenship had its privileges! Roman citizenship was special, as is evidenced by the conversation that Paul had with the commander when he found out that Paul was a Roman; “When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and told him, saying, "What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman." The commander came and said to him, "Tell me, are you a Roman?" And he said, "Yes." The commander answered, "I acquired this citizenship with a large sum of money." And Paul said, "But I was actually born a citizen." (Acts 22:26-28)
There was another citizenship that Paul had that was of the highest importance to him, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phil 3:20) And he said to the Ephesians, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household.” (Eph 2:19) Heavenly citizenship has its privileges! Access to heaven, making up part of God’s household, and a Savior! Peter said, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” (1 Peter 2:11) Though we might be proud to be Americans or proud of whatever heritage we have, there is nothing more important that being citizens in Christ’s kingdom.
Of Jesus it is said, “You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” (Rev 5:9) When we stand before God in judgment, our earthly citizenship won’t matter, but it will forever matter if we are citizens of heaven! Are you?