Dear BPCWA worshipper, Tomorrow is Australia Day, a day that many councils hold events to welcome new citizens pledging their commitment to become Australian citizens. While there are many reasons why one may be in a country, I want us to consider 3 typical descriptions of why we are here, not just here in Australia, but in the world. I am not saying that citizenship in a land is sinful or that being a tourist is evil.  But it would certainly do us good to consider our attitude towards this world in different capacities.

Citizens. The Australian Home Affairs website, like that of many other nations, describes a citizen as one with “an ongoing commitment to Australia and our shared values”, a “formal membership of the Australian community”. There is a list of the “Privileges – what Australia will give you”. It then goes on to list the responsibilities of a citizen, and “what you will give Australia”. This includes obedience to the laws of Australia and to defend Australia should the need arise. A pledge of loyalty and to share Australia’s beliefs is required.  As you can see, the mark of a citizen is that of obedience, defence, loyalty, and a shared system of beliefs with that country. The Bible speaks of a citizenship too, where those who are citizens of heaven have been “translated” (Col 1:13) into Christ’s kingdom. There is no dual citizenship because translated means “transpose, transfer, remote from one place to another”. There is a clarity in one’s citizenship by one’s allegiance. A citizen of heaven has an affinity for the light of Christ’s kingdom, as opposed to the darkness that the citizen of this world loves and cleaves to. What do you identify with in terms of your obedience? Are you more ready to defend the beliefs of the world or those of God? Do you find yourself more at home with godly Christian company, or are you happier in the company of the world?  Do you find more kinship in your system of beliefs with that of the lusts of the world or in the righteousness that the Bible speaks of? Examine yourself honestly of what you are within, because that may betray your true citizenship. This answer is the difference between a saved eternity in heaven and a lost eternity in hell. 

Tourist. Then, there is the tourist, with which we are all familiar. The tourist knows that they are not citizens of that country. They are in another land for leisure and pleasure, to enjoy the attractions of the destination. They may enjoy being immersed in what characterises the lives of the citizens of that country, perhaps donning their garb, doing what they do, and going where they go. Their aim is to maximise enjoyment and experience the pleasures of the land. So, their itinerary revolves around soaking in the sights, sounds, and experiences of the destination as much as possible while they are there. I wonder if this reflects our attitude about being a passing sojourner in this world. Is our motto “to enjoy the pleasures of what the land has to offer us”?  The one who seeks to enjoy and love the pleasures of “all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1Jo 2:16) is also one where “the love of the Father is not in him” (1Jo 2:15). In the world we live in today, such a statement may seem strict and restrictive, but this is God’s Word and His diagnosis of our hearts. Someone who calls himself a Christian, but whose sole life ambition and goal is worldly rather than other-worldly, should seriously examine himself to see if he is truly the citizen of heaven that he declares himself to be.

Stranger. This is ultimately the only option for a Christian. As we have studied in 1 Peter 2:11, we are “strangers and pilgrims”, for Peter says, “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul”. This verse has both an encouragement and a warning. The encouragement is that we have citizenship in heaven, hence we are merely pilgrims here. The meaning of “stranger” is one who is a foreigner, who lives in a place without the right of citizenship. It is used alongside “pilgrim”, denoting that the true citizenship is in heaven, where he is a native. The world is merely a place of temporary residence and a place of labour for God. It is where they do not really belong, nor feel that they belong, because the pilgrim is enroute to a destination. In a Christian’s heart, there will be a certain tension with the world, a discomfort with its way of life, and an inner dissatisfaction, hollowness, and perhaps even disgust with what the world offers and promotes. A true Christian will feel out of place in the world, though he lives in the world (Joh 17:16). This is because he has a set of beliefs and values from heaven that are different from what the world promotes and propounds. This internal difference will drive the external differences in how he lives his life, what he pursues, and what he values. It is not because he is striving to stand out and be different. What drives a Christian and his pursuits will be distasteful to the world and even scorned. Then there is the warning of fleshly lusts that will war against our souls here. It doesn’t mean that the “stranger and pilgrim” does not feel the sting and the hurt that the world may throw at him because of his beliefs. It doesn’t mean that the temptation to want to be like the world doesn’t exist. Christ compares it to “thorns” in the parable of the 4 grounds. These thorns are deadly because the seed was “choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life” and, in so doing, brought “no fruit to perfection” (Luk 8:14). These thorns can still be thorns in our sides after salvation if we allow them to be. Let us not forget that we are just sojourners in this world. And the Christian is a “new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Eph 4:24). This new person “is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit”.  With this change of heart and mind, he now seeks not to conform to this world. He seeks praise “not of men, but of God” (Rom 2:29). He seeks not pleasure, but God.

The world esteems citizenship in certain countries. We can draw reminders for ourselves. God teaches us of a more important citizenship. The Christian must remember that everything that he pursues and seeks for himself in this world will ultimately pass away. What do your life, pursuits, and desires tell about your perception of your heavenly citizenship? And do not fool yourself to think that just because you call yourself Christian you are indeed a born-again believer heading for heaven.

“Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Mat 7:19-20)

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor