Life Patterns: Living as Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 1:27–30

Have you ever stepped off a plane in a foreign country and instantly felt out of place? Maybe the language sounded unfamiliar, the food smelled strange, or the customs felt completely different. You weren’t unwelcome—you just didn’t belong.

Now imagine pulling out your passport. That small blue booklet instantly identifies you as a citizen of another nation. It shapes how others see you—and maybe even how you see yourself. You’re not just a visitor. You’re a representative.

This is the image the apostle Paul wants us to carry in Philippians 1:27–30. He reminds us that as followers of Jesus, we are citizens of heaven. We might live in this world, but we don’t quite fit in. Our values, our hopes, our loyalties—they come from somewhere else. And just like a passport, our identity in Christ should influence how we live, love, and respond to the world around us.

A Heavenly Identity in a World That Feels Foreign

Paul wrote Philippians while in prison, thanking the church for their support and offering encouragement. In chapter 1, he shares how—even behind bars—the Gospel is advancing. Then, in verses 27–30, he gives practical instruction. If we belong to God’s Kingdom, then we must live like it.

Paul outlines three patterns that shape the life of a heavenly citizen:

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1. Loyalty — Living a Life Worthy of the Gospel (v. 27)

Paul urges believers to “live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.” This isn’t about living perfectly—it’s about living faithfully. Loyalty to Jesus shapes our daily choices. It means living in a way that reflects our allegiance to Him and standing united with others in His kingdom.

That loyalty also means we strive together for the Gospel. We’re not solo agents—we’re a team, a body, a church family. Whether it’s praying, teaching, giving, serving, or inviting others to know Jesus, we all have a role to play. That’s what loyalty looks like in action.

“No one can serve two masters…” (Matthew 6:24) reminds us that loyalty is a daily decision. Money, comfort, politics, success—any of these can claim our allegiance. But as citizens of heaven, our hearts must belong first to King Jesus.

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2. Courage — Standing Firm in the Face of Opposition (v. 28)

Paul doesn’t sugarcoat it: living as citizens of heaven invites resistance. Whether it’s cultural pushback, strained relationships, or spiritual attack, courage will be required. But courage isn’t bravado—it’s quiet confidence rooted in knowing who we are and whose we are.

Our courage serves as a sign. It tells the world that the Kingdom of God is real. And it tells us that we’re on the right path.

Think of Rosa Parks. In 1955, her refusal to give up her bus seat wasn’t loud, but it was powerful. Her stand sparked a movement because she knew who she was. In the same way, when we stand firm in faith, we point people to the hope of Jesus.

Want to grow in courage? Start with community. Courage isn’t cultivated in isolation—it grows in relationships. That’s why the local church is essential. We need one another to pray, encourage, and walk with us through life’s trials.

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3. Awareness — Recognizing That Suffering Is Part of the Journey (vv. 29–30)

Paul tells us that suffering is part of the Christian life. That’s not always what we want to hear, but it’s the truth. Jesus suffered, and those who follow Him can expect the same. But suffering isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign that we’re in the race.

Picture a marathon runner at mile 20, muscles burning and lungs gasping. That pain isn’t a sign to quit—it’s proof they’re still running. Likewise, when we face hardship for our faith, it’s not because we’ve lost our way. It might be because we’re exactly where God wants us to be.

We’re not alone in this. We run in the company of faithful men and women who have gone before us. We’re part of a “great cloud of witnesses” who model what it means to live with enduring faith.

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God…” (Romans 8:28). 

Trust that even your pain can serve God’s purpose.

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Living the Difference

Paul’s challenge is simple but profound: Live as citizens of heaven. Let your life be a visible testimony that following Jesus makes a real difference. Let your loyalty, courage, and awareness shine like a lighthouse in a stormy sea—steady, faithful, and pointing others toward hope.

Our lives are often the clearest evidence of the Gospel people will ever see. Will they see the Kingdom of Heaven in us?

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A Challenge for the Week

Everything starts with prayer. This week, ask God to help you find and form a community of fellow citizens—people who will support, challenge, and walk with you in faith. Many of us try to follow Jesus alone, but we were never meant to. We need each other.

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A Final Thought

“There are moments when our greatest act of faith is to remain faithful. Faith is not always the way out of the crisis—but faith gives us strength and confidence to see every challenge and crisis through to the end.”

— Erwin McManus, Stand Against the Wind

This is what these three patterns—loyalty, courage, and awareness—lead to: faithfulness. Steady, resilient, enduring faithfulness to King Jesus.

Let’s live like we belong to the Kingdom of Heaven—because we do.

Faith, Politics, and the Slippery Slope of Power

“When believers surrender to the temptation to associate the faith with a political party, so that a subtle but rock-solid alliance is formed between the church and an entity that belongs to this present age, the dynamics of triumphalism easily take over. Christians begin to quest after cultural domination, seeking political power and cultural approval.”

— Timothy Gombis, The Story of God Bible Commentary: Mark, p. 568

The Tension of Faith and Politics

A tension many followers of Jesus wrestle with is: how do we influence the messy world of earthly politics while faithfully representing King Jesus in everything we say and do?

I believe that Timothy Gombis hits the nail on the head with this thought. When disciples of Jesus get too cozy with a political party, there is the temptation for a divided loyalty. What starts as a pragmatic alliance between the Church and politics as a way to influence our culture can morph into a quest for power—a pursuit of dominance that looks more like an attempt to control than advancement of the Gospel. Sometimes it’s a slow drift; other times, it’s a sudden leap. But once it takes root, the consequences of this relationship ripple far beyond the ballot box.

Lessons from History

History is littered with cautionary tales. The medieval church didn’t just counsel kings—it crowned them, wielding spiritual authority like a scepter to dictate the morality of the culture. Fast forward to today, and we see echoes of that same impulse: religious rhetoric weaponized for partisan agendas, voter guides tucked into pews, faith leaders stumping for candidates. The line blurs between the Kingdom of Heaven and the Favored Party. In those instances, the gospel ceases to be about love, humility, or redemption, and it becomes a tool for winning elections, shaping laws, and shaping culture. Gombis calls this “triumphalism,” a trap that flips the mission of the Kingdom upside down.

A Personal Confession

I’ve watched this happen in real time—and I’ll admit, I’ve been part of the problem. Conversations with friends turn into litmus tests: Are you really a Christian if you don’t vote this way? Churches start preaching platforms instead of Scripture, always finding a way to weave in a political jab rather than truly teaching the truth of Scripture. Before long, Jesus becomes a mascot for a political tribe rather than the King of the Kingdom of Heaven. It’s subtle at first—a sermon here, a hashtag there—but soon, the church isn’t just in the world; it’s of it. That’s the danger Gombis warns about: when faith hitches its wagon to a political party—or worse, a political figure—it risks trading its soul for a seat at the table.

The Kingdom’s Counterpoint

Scripture offers a stark counterpoint. In John 18:36, Jesus tells Pilate:

“My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.”

Those words cut through the noise. Jesus didn’t rally a militia, lobby Rome, or chase the crowd’s applause. His power wasn’t in domination but in sacrifice, which makes God’s Kingdom stand apart from the empires of his day. 

Jesus drives this point home even further in Matthew 20:25-28 saying: 

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in high positions act as tyrants over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Here’s the blueprint: greatness isn’t about control—it’s about laying down power for the sake of others. It’s a challenging standard to live by, but it’s a reminder: the kingdom we’re called to doesn’t need a flag or a party support to endure.

Finding the Balance

The alternative to political partnership isn’t simple. Withdrawing from politics altogether isn’t practical—faith should shape how we engage the world. Justice, mercy, and compassion don’t thrive in a vacuum. But there’s a difference between influence and partnership, between speaking to culture and needing to shape it. Perhaps the model is Jesus himself: he challenged power without seizing its throne. Rather than claiming victory through power, Jesus won the victory through sacrifice.

A Call to Examine Our Loyalties

Gombis’ words are a heart check. They force us to examine where our loyalties truly lie. Are we serving the Kingdom of Heaven and King Jesus, or just propping up the loudest political megaphone of the moment? 

It’s a question worth wrestling with—because when faith and politics fuse too tightly, it’s not just the church that changes. It’s us. And if we’re not careful, we might wake up one day to find we’ve drifted far from God’s Kingdom altogether.

Lessons from the King: Two Ways

Back in January of 2011, Jenny and I were engaged, and I began preaching my first series through the Sermon on the Mount up in Storm Lake, Iowa. I was eager to prepare well, so I bought a few books—some commentaries, and a couple of older works. One was John Wesley’s book on the Sermon on the Mount—Jenny was attending a Free Methodist Church, so I figured I’d better get to know Wesley a bit. Another was by a guy named Emmet Fox. I didn’t know who he was—just saw it was an older book with good reviews on Amazon, so I downloaded it to my new Kindle.

It didn’t take long to realize something was off. As I read Fox’s take, his teaching felt…self-focused. It wasn’t lining up with what Jesus was saying in the Sermon on the Mount. It was more about me than the Kingdom. So, I Googled him. Turns out, Emmet Fox was a New Thought leader—a philosophy that says if you just think the right thoughts, you can manifest your desires. That’s infiltrated everything in our culture—from self-help books to Oprah to even corners of Christianity.

Here’s the thing: I spotted that as false because it didn’t match what I’d been taught about following Jesus, how I practiced following Him, or what biblical scholars have said for centuries. That moment taught me something crucial—discernment isn’t optional for us as followers of Jesus. It’s what keeps us on the right path. This is the truth Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:13-23. We need to be people of discernment.

Discernment Keeps Us on the Narrow Road

Through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us what it means to live as Kingdom citizens—to see God’s will done on earth as in heaven. It’s not about us—our comfort, our dreams. It’s about God’s Kingdom and our loyalty to King Jesus. In Matthew 7:13-23, as He wraps up this sermon, He doesn’t give new rules. He gives a warning: without discernment, we’ll follow the wrong way.

Two Roads, One Choice (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” When Matthew wrote this, Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD was still future. People thought the Kingdom would come through violence, power, and wealth—the wide road. But Jesus points to the narrow way: poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers.

For them, it wasn’t “hell vs. heaven” like we might read it today. It was “destruction vs. life”—the popular way or Jesus’ way. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) because they missed it. Today, the warning’s for us, the church. Are we chasing power, comfort, wealth, or Jesus’ character and dependence on God? Ask yourself: Am I following Jesus’ vision for the Kingdom, or my desires with Him as a mascot?

Watch Out for Wolves (Matthew 7:15-20)

Then Jesus warns, “Watch out for false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them.” Not false teachers—prophets. They claim to speak for God, with visions and dreams. They’re dangerous because they sound right—talking about the Father, Jesus, the Spirit—but lead us off the narrow road. In Jesus’ day, they might’ve preached rebellion and riches. Today, it could be prosperity or self-fulfillment dressed up as faith.

Test them, Jesus says. Don’t just swallow their words. Here’s how:

1. Be vigilant with anyone claiming to be a prophet—don’t lower your guard.
2. Compare their teaching to Scripture and wise counsel (that’s how I spotted Emmet Fox).
3. Look at their lives—deception or integrity? A false prophet can’t live the narrow way any more than a thistle can grow grapes.

The Sobering Truth (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus gets real: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” People will say, “Didn’t we prophesy? Perform miracles?” And He’ll reply, “I never knew you.” It’s not about words or wonders—it’s about a life reflecting the Beatitudes, a heart transformed by the Spirit, a relationship with the King.

You can think you’re on the narrow road and miss it. So evaluate: Are you following Jesus’ way or what feels right to you? To stay on track, do this daily: pledge allegiance to King Jesus and surrender to the Holy Spirit. That’s the path.

Living It Out

Matthew 7:13-23 isn’t just about salvation—it’s about whether we’ll follow God’s way as His people. Jesus warns us because He loves us too much to let us wander. The Kingdom isn’t popular or comfortable—it’s Jesus’ character, teaching, and reign. Test the voices you hear—Scripture and fruit, not feelings, are your guide. Test your heart, too.

The big idea is this: Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are discerning about what influences their live so they can remain on the narrow road of King Jesus. Discernment isn’t optional—it’s survival. Test the voices you listen to—weigh them against Scripture, watch how they live. But more than that, test your own heart. Pledge your allegiance to King Jesus. Surrender to the Spirit’s leading. That’s how we stay on the narrow road. That’s how we become citizens who don’t just pray “Your Kingdom come,” but live it out—right here, right now.

To paraphrase Dietrich Bonhoeffer from the book The Martyred Christian: “God’s will isn’t ours to control—it’s His grace, fresh daily. It’s not your gut feeling or a spiritual rule. God reveals His will only to those who seek it anew.” We don’t set the Kingdom’s path—that’s the King’s job. Follow Jesus. Use His words in these chapters to weigh everything. That’s the narrow road of King Jesus.

A Prayer for the Journey

Take a moment. Thank God for Jesus and His Kingdom. Ask for wisdom to live as a good citizen. Surrender to the Spirit. If God’s nudging you to follow Jesus more closely, don’t wait—reach out to someone today. Let’s pray: “God, thank You for Jesus. Give us wisdom to follow Your way. We surrender to Your Spirit. Keep us on the narrow road. Amen.”

Lessons from the King: Making an Impact

Called to Make an Impact

In the middle of the eighteenth century, the fight against the slave trade seemed like an impossible task. The trade was deeply ingrained in society, supported by powerful interests in Parliament, and widely accepted despite its inhumane cruelty. Christians began collecting evidence of the horrors of slavery, hoping to sway public opinion and bring about change. They needed a leader—someone to champion their cause in the political arena. That leader was William Wilberforce, a member of Parliament who experienced a profound conversion to Christianity in 1785.

Influenced by John Newton, a former slave trader turned pastor, Wilberforce felt called to use his position to fight for the abolition of the slave trade. He wrote, “So enormous, so dreadful, so irremediable did its wickedness appear that my own mind was completely made up for the abolition. A trade founded in iniquity and carried on as this was must be abolished.” For 20 years, Wilberforce faced intense opposition. Lord Melbourne, one of his critics, famously complained, “Things have come to a pretty pass when religion is allowed to invade public life.” But Wilberforce persevered, supported by Christians across England. Finally, in 1807, Parliament voted to abolish the slave trade.

Wilberforce’s story is a powerful example of how Christians can bring about moral and societal change. It reminds us that following Christ is not just personal—it’s a call to make an impact in the world for God’s Kingdom.

Too often, faith is viewed as a personal experience. It’s about my relationship with God, myblessings, and how God can improve my life. In this process, we overlook the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom is not a future concept—something that begins when Jesus returns. It’s about the here and now. God’s Kingdom comes into the world as people live by faith in King Jesus.

It all depends on faith. Remember: we can’t be citizens of God’s Kingdom if we’re not faithful to the King. Just as loyalty defines good citizenship in any country, loyalty to King Jesus defines citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.

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Background

Jesus began His ministry where John the Baptist left off: “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” The Sermon on the Mount explores what it means to be a citizen of this Kingdom. The Beatitudes summarize the character and values of Kingdom citizens. It starts with, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” emphasizing total reliance on God. It ends with, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” acknowledging that citizens will face opposition.

Jesus assures us that being in the Kingdom is worth it, and then moves on to teach about the responsibilities of Kingdom citizens.

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1. Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13)

To understand Jesus’ teaching, we need to grasp the uses of salt in His time. Salt purified, flavored, preserved, and symbolized the covenant with God. Jesus likely meant a combination of these uses. Salt influences its environment.

• What is Earth?: This refers to the ground, the land—specifically Israel, the Promised Land. Disciples as the “salt of the earth” had a mission to preserve and purify the faithful remnant of Israel, who were in danger of missing the Kingdom.

• The Mission to Impact God’s People: We have a responsibility to influence the Church by purifying it from outside influences and preserving it for King Jesus. We do this through our lives—with love, humility, mercy, and forgiveness—and through what we teach—Scripture and truth. 

If we lose our “saltiness”—our influence—we risk becoming irrelevant to the Kingdom.

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2. Light of the World (Matthew 5:14-16)

Light illuminates darkness with love and truth. Isaiah used this imagery to remind Israel of their responsibility to represent God to the Gentiles. Jesus came as the Light of the World, and His followers are called to reflect His light.

• Evangelism: We illuminate darkness by teaching others about sin, salvation, and the new life found in Jesus. Our faithful lives—marked by love—demonstrate to the world that there is a better way to live. A covered light is useless.

• Two Sides of Discipleship: Salt represents spiritual formation—preserving and teaching the truth. Light represents evangelism—shining love and truth to those who don’t know God. Together, they encompass the responsibility of Kingdom citizens.

A covered light is useless. Similarly, our faithful lives must be visible to the world, guiding others to glorify God.

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3. Fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17-20)

This passage can be challenging, but it builds on the themes of salt and light. To be Kingdom people requires living righteous lives—being in right relationship with God and fulfilling the intent of His Law.

• Jesus and the Law: Some accused Jesus of dismissing the Torah, but He clarified that He came to fulfill it. His teachings revealed the heart of the Law: love for God and love for people.

• True Righteousness: Jesus taught that true righteousness isn’t about rigidly following rules but embodying the intent of the Law. This prioritizes people over legalism, as seen in the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Our righteousness isn’t about earning God’s favor through works but about reflecting His love in our lives.

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We Have a Responsibility

 Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven have a responsibility to influence the world with Kingdom values. Salt preserves—influencing the Church. Light illuminates—bringing love and truth to those in darkness. Fulfilling these roles requires living righteous lives—not just adhering to the letter of the law but fulfilling its purpose through love for God and others.

Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are called to represent King Jesus in the world by showing people there is a better way to live. This is how the world is saved: by seeing the better way and being challenged to accept it.

How do I apply this to my life? Ask God how you can be salt and light in your corner of the world. Encourage a fellow Christian to remain faithful. Share the Gospel with someone who needs to hear it. Be salt and light in your sphere of influence.

May we faithfully represent King Jesus, influencing the world with His love and truth. In doing so, we invite others to experience the life-transforming power of His Kingdom.

Faith Over Politics: Representing Jesus Well in a Divided World

 

Imagine you’re wearing glasses. The lenses tint everything you see, and if they’re blue, everything has a blue hue. No matter how much you try, you can't see things clearly until you either remove or change the lenses

For Christians, a biblical worldview frames everything through faith in Jesus, influencing our perspectives on work, family, and yes, even politics. This raises an essential question: what kind of lenses are we wearing? Are they shaped by God’s truth or by the world around us?

A Biblical Worldview for a Complex World

As followers of Christ, we’re called to build a worldview rooted in Scripture. This is difficult because we are bombarded with messages and philosophies that influence the way we see the world. It is crucial that we remember that in a world overflowing with competing voices, the Bible provides a firm foundation for understanding life—including how we engage politically.

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Why Should Christians be Concerned about Politics?

You might ask, Why discuss politics? Isn’t that divisive? Aren’t we supposed to be above the things of this world? 

Here’s why we should clearly about politics:

1. Politics is an issue of discipleship. Kaitlyn Schiess, in The Liturgy of Politics, challenges us to ask: are we being discipled by the Holy Spirit and the Bible, or by a political pundits and partisan politics?

2. Politics is a reality of life. We’re called to engage with the world around us. How we approach politics can either bless our communities and glorify God—or do the opposite.

My job is not to convince you on how you should vote, but that doesn’t mean voting doesn’t matter. Because voting has consequences, how you vote matters.  Yet, voting remains a deeply personal decision. It is a decision that should be approached prayerfully.

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What is Politics?

Politics is not just about how government functions. It is also how groups organize, distribute power and resources, and make decisions. Our families, communities, institutions, and even churches have a political framework that supports them. For Christians, political engagement, in every area of life, is about living out Kingdom values in our spheres of influence.

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Christians Are Exiles: Allegiance to King Jesus

1 Peter 2:11 (CSB)

Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.

As Christians, we are exiles in this world. This means our true citizenship is in heaven, and our loyalty belongs to King Jesus. 

Matthew 6:24 (CSB)

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6:24 teaches us we cannot serve two masters. This means:

• Our primary mission isn’t reclaiming a nation for God but making disciples.
• Creating a “Christian” nation through politics is not the goal. Instead, we transform lives through discipleship, shaping people with a biblical worldview.

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Living Honorably in a Divided World

1 Peter 2:12-17 (CSB)

Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits.

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God’s will that you silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing good. Submit as free people, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but as God’s slaves. Honor everyone. Love the brothers and sisters. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Peter’s guidance for exiles gives us a roadmap for navigating politics:

1. Live honorably among non-believers (1 Peter 2:12). Represent Jesus well by reflecting His love and wisdom, even when misunderstood or opposed.

2. Submit to human authorities (1 Peter 2:13). Trust in God’s sovereignty, respecting earthly systems even when we disagree. Christians under the Roman Empire honored Christ while submitting to a deeply flawed government—so can we.

3. Use your freedom wisely (1 Peter 2:16). Christian freedom isn’t about rebelling against earthly laws; it’s about serving God faithfully within them.

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Prayer as Political Engagement

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (CSB)

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

The most vital political action for Christians is prayer (1 Timothy 2:1-4). Early Christians had little political influence, but they prayed fervently for leaders and authorities. Why? To create conditions where the gospel could flourish.

• Pray for leaders and authorities. This isn’t about aligning policies with personal preferences. Instead, pray for wisdom, justice, and peace, enabling godly living and gospel opportunities.
• Recognize the power of prayer. Prayer is spiritual warfare and evangelism combined. It shapes hearts and circumstances in ways human efforts cannot.

Make prayer for government leaders a regular practice, not to win political battles but to advance God’s Kingdom.

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Faithful Political Engagement

Colossians 3:17 (CSB)

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 reminds us that everything, including politics, should be done in Jesus’ name. Jesus challenged the religious and political powers of His time, but always with a prophetic focus—revealing God’s Kingdom, not seeking worldly power.

Jeremiah 29:7 (CSB)

“Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

Like the exiles in Babylon, our mission is to seek the welfare of our communities. Political engagement isn’t about winning arguments but blessing others, praying for them, and creating space for God’s Kingdom to shine.

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A Challenge to Consider

How can you engage politically in ways that glorify God and reflect Jesus’ character?

Winning elections pales in comparison to representing Christ’s love, grace, and compassion.

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Final Thought

Our political engagement must reflect our allegiance to Christ—not to a nation or party. As exiles, we are called to:

• Submit to authorities.
• Live with integrity.
• Pray for leaders.

Above all, keep your eyes fixed on God’s Kingdom. When we live as citizens of heaven, we represent Jesus well in a divided world.