Citizens of God’s Kingdom

We are citizens of God’s kingdom. God’s citizenship comes with rights and responsibilities. Chief among the rights is freedom. Paul identified this right in his letter to the Christians living in Galatia.

For freedom Christ set us free. Stand firm, do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. Jesus called you to freedom, brothers and sisters. Galatians 5:1 & 13a

Freedom does not limit our options and opportunities. We are, therefore, at liberty to love or hate. We are free to do good and, regrettable, we are also free to do evil. We have the option to care for ourselves or to neglect our self care. We can, in the word of our Baptismal Covenant, choose to respect the dignity of every person (Book of Common Prayer page 305) or ignore our vows and choose to treat others as less worthy, less than human.

Paul was compelled to remind the Galatians of their citizenship because some were misguiding them. Some were directing them to rights and responsibilities that did not align with God’s will. They claimed true believers, had to limit their freedom by being circumcised and fulfill their responsibilities by being obedient to biblical laws. The reading for today skips the verses that describe this situation. I am including them because they speak to challenges confronting us today. Paul wrote,

You who choose to be made righteous by the law have cut yourselves off from Jesus; you have fallen away from grace. Because (sic.) in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that counts is faith expressed in works of love. You were running a good race until the people making these claims cut you off. Their teaching and preaching is keeping you from obeying what Jesus proclaimed! The practices and laws they advocate do not come from the One who calls you. Brothers and sisters, …these were abolished by the cross. Jesus called you to freedom, brothers and sisters; not only to use your freedom as an opportunity to address your own needs and desires, but to care for one another. Galatians 5:4, 6-8, 11 & 13

The problems faced by Galatians were religious practices and biblical laws. The problems we face are the practices of party affiliation and the policies, laws and executive actions issued by each party. Democrats and Republicans claim adherence to their political party is necessary to make America great, defend democracy, grow the economy, reduce crime, improve education, protect children, make health care accessible, reverse climate change, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera. These days Republican and Democratic politicians and the people affiliated with both parties speak and behave as though the policies, laws and rulings generated by their group are the only way to govern. There are some who claim their plans and actions are fulfilling God’s promises and usher in the second coming of Christ. They are, we are ignoring what Paul said, “in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision or uncircumcision matter.” Galatians 5:6a If Paul were writing to Christians in America, he would tell us that political party affiliations count for nothing. The only thing that counts, the only thing that will make our nation great is faith expressed in works of love. Galatians 5:6b

The laws and practices, imposed by some in Galatia were invented by human beings. They were brought into the community of faith prophets, priests and scholars, inspired by God, passed down through generations and then enshrined in the Bible. Whenever inspired teaching and preaching led people away from God instead of to God, God sends prophets, priests and scholars to clarify God’s intent. This process of clarification and correction is also enshrined in the Bible. At the appointed Page 2 of 4 Christ Church, Sag Harbor Proper 8, Year C 28 & 29 June 2025 time, God showed up in person to clarify and correct. God became incarnate in Jesus to teach and demonstrate the rights and responsibilities of believers. Jesus summarized all the laws, prophets, and commandments in two directives: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. So, when we generate constitutions, laws, ordinances, statues, rulings, and practices these directives must serve as our plumb line. We must use them to determine whether the policies and practices we produce, promote and protect foster love for God, self and other. As we endeavor to “fix” this country we must remember that we are citizens of God’s kingdom. You and I are citizens of God’s kingdom who reside in the United States of American. We are not Americans who just happen to be Christians.

Our heavenly citizenship comes with responsibilities. Chief among our responsibilities is love. Jesus taught about love and showed us how to love. We are to love God, self and others. Jesus even directed us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Citizens of God’s kingdom we’re no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female, Democrat or Republican. Paul told the Galatians, they had a duty to produce, promote and protect not just love, but also joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22

We must be tenacious in our efforts to fulfill these duties. Like Elisha who stayed with Elijah, learning and observing, until his teacher and mentor was taken up to heaven; we must be vigilant. Like Jesus, setting his face toward Jerusalem we must walk the walk and talk the talk. Jesus had fears and doubts: he pleaded with God, “let this cup pass by me.” In spite of his fears and doubts Jesus prayed, “not my will, but Thy will be done.” Jesus’ walked through Samaria, taking the most direct route to Jerusalem. He rejected the practice of Jews who traveled around Samaria to get to Jerusalem in order to avoid “those people.” Jesus’ spoke directly. When James and John asked to “rain down fire” on Samaria because some Samaritans refused to follow Jesus, he rebuked James and John. The disciples had a responsibility to be kind and patient not judgmental and retaliatory! When a person wanted to follow Jesus, but asked to wait until they fulfilled their family obligations, Jesus challenged them. Caring for family is an not an obstacle to being a citizen of God’s kingdom. Care for loved ones allows us to practice the responsibilities of citizenship by showing joy, gentleness, and generosity. When another person asked to bid farewell to loved ones and career before following Jesus, Jesus challenged them. Citizens of heaven lose their way, fall, and suffer injuries walking to the kingdom backwards. Citizenship requires us to exercise self-control and steadfast faithfulness.

Citizens of God’s kingdom are responsible for producing, promoting, and protecting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in and through the church, and in and though our politics. You and I are citizens of God’s kingdom who happen to reside in the United States of American. As we protest, advocate and organize through our chosen political party remember “the only thing that counts is faith expressed in works of love.” Galatians 5:6b Jesus taught us and showed us how to love God, love ourselves, love others. Jesus challenged us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. As citizens of God’s kingdom, use your freedom to align your politics with the responsibilities given by Jesus.