How to Be Good Citizens

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. —Romans 13:1-7

politics (noun)

pol·i·tics | \ ˈpä-lə-ˌtiks \

1: the art or science of:

a: government

b: guiding or influencing governmental policy

c: winning and holding control over a government

1. Competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government)
2. The total complex of relations between people living in society

Imagine yourself in a foreign land.

Main Point: Our primary citizenship is in Heaven. While we live here, God expects and empowers us to represent His kingdom well.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. —1 Peter 1:17

Five Habits of Good Citizenship:

1. Pledge your heart’s allegiance to God
2. Follow laws that do not require disobedience to God – including honesty in paying taxes
3. Live in love and harmony with your neighbors
4. Stay awake and alert
5. Defy darkness

“It is necessary to submit to the authorities…” Exceptions?

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to a 90-foot gold statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. (Daniel 3)

Daniel – a government employee – ignored King Darius’s edict against prayer. (Daniel 6)

Esther defied the rules and entered King Xerxes’ throne room uninvited – an offense punishable by death. (Esther 5)

David escaped from King Saul and created an army of outlaws to keep battling on behalf of Israel, far outside the king’s orders or jurisdiction. (1 Samuel 23)

Peter and the other apostles: “We must obey God rather than any human authority.” (Acts 5:29)

Paul – persecuted, jailed, likely beheaded.

8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. —Romans 13:8-14

Good citizenship is not about looking for loopholes to get away with something or get ahead in life. It’s about looking to Jesus, looking more and more like Him in our character and our actions, and looking out for others – all for the glory of God.

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:3-11

Takeaway: Out of love and gratitude to Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let’s live peaceably, bringing God’s kingdom to earth and all people into God’s kingdom.

Discussion Questions:

1. Does your citizenship in the world conflict with your citizenship in God’s kingdom? If so, in what ways? And what can you do about it?
2. Where does your primary loyalty lie? What habits can you change or cultivate, with God’s help, to strengthen your allegiance to God?
3. Are you living in love and harmony with your neighbors? How about in your own household? What attitudes and/or actions is God speaking to you about?
4. Do you doubt your spiritual citizenship? If you want to belong to God’s kingdom and aren’t sure how, please contact Pastor Marsha (marsha@northgatefmc.com) or any of the pastors (“firstname”@northgatefmc.com). We would love to talk and pray with you about accepting God’s amazing gift of salvation!

Table Discussion Question: Do you care about politics? Why or why not? Is it possible to be politically active and completely Christian? Is it possible to be politically inactive and completely Christian? Why and how?