Recent “No Kings” protests in the United States illustrate the anti-monarchical sentiment that historically exists in this country. This sentiment goes back to the rebellion against the authority of King George III of Great Britain, which established what is now known as the United States. However, for those of us who call ourselves Christians, meaning followers of Jesus as Lord and Savior, we recognize that we do have a King. He is known as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As Christians, we are citizens of his Kingdom. Scripture reminds us that we are citizens of heaven from where we await our Savior (Philippians 3:20).
One of the titles attributed to Jesus during his lifetime was “Son of David”, as such Jesus fulfilled the promises God made to Israel’s king, David, that God would raise up for him a descendant who would reign over an eternal kingdom (2 Samuel 7:13-14). While David’s son Solomon partially fulfilled this promise; Solomon built the temple and was disciplined when he disobeyed, Jesus ultimately fulfilled God’s promise by being the perfectly obedient son, who has built an eternal temple and dwelling place for God’s Spirit in those of us who follow Jesus.
As citizens of heaven and the dwelling place for the Spirit of God there is the expectation that Christians walk according to the truth. Scripture again instructs us to walk in the light as He is in the light, which is the foundation for our fellowship with Jesus and one another (1 John 1:5-7). Walking in the light reveals why Jesus instructed his followers to teach others what he had commanded (Matthew 28:20). Some assume that walking in the truth is the foundation of their acceptance by Jesus, but Scripture teaches that it is the result of what Jesus has already accomplished in us, because it was through God’s grace that forgiveness is offered to all of us, even though we don’t deserve it (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Wherever we live in the world, we live under rulers, who, no matter what their title, may at times act like royalty. At times they may even abuse their legal powers, whether they are kings, presidents, prime ministers, governors or mayors. Nevertheless, our responsibility as citizens of heaven is to show them honor, whether they deserve it or not, just as God forgave us through Jesus, when we did not deserve it. We must combat the tendency to show honor to those leaders with whom we agree, while withholding honor from those with whom we disagree. When we follow the Scriptural mandate to show honor to all governmental leaders, we reveal ourselves to be citizens of heaven who walk in the light.
David Freitag 