So, they debated this week. The only thing that can be certain is that one of them will be president. No matter the outcome of the election, I will continue to trust God. He is still Lord, and He continues to uphold us with His righteous right hand (Isa. 41:10). Before the election we must remember that our true citizenship is not here.
Paul wrote these words to the church in Philippi, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). This was a city that was a colony of Rome and was a place where Roman soldiers would retire. Being a Roman citizen afforded you certain privileges (Acts 16:38). It was looked favorably upon, especially if you were born a citizen and did not buy your citizenship. Not everyone was or could be a Roman. For the Lord to emphasize heavenly citizenship over Roman binds us all under a common banner. “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). Many of the people that lived in the Roman empire were strangers and aliens to that ruling culture. Even more so, Christians felt as aliens and strangers to every culture as thy were ostracized and looked down upon. Peter mentions this, “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure” (1 Pet. 1:1-2). Again, “Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul. Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles” (1 Pet. 2:11-12a). This world is not our focus.
We sing the song that says, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.” The question is, do we live and think that way? We should beware of becoming so attached to things in this world like parties, flags, documents, or ideals. Those things can render us fruitless and unprepared for the Lord’s coming (Luke 8:14; 21:34). We must guard against the love of this world, including politics. “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17). We should vote, we can have pride in our country, and it’s not wrong to serve our country. However, zeal for my country should never outshine my Love for God and His kingdom.