By way of typical demographic phraseology, I am a white male. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago. The time I grew up was a bit of a transition period of generations, if one adopts the language of contemporary American parlance. Formally I belong to Generation X, though I have some in common with Millennials. There have been attempts to set this transitional generation apart and label it, though this isn’t what this writing is about.
There were continual efforts on behalf of the education system to which I belonged to provide cross-cultural education. Assemblies in high school gave several minority groups an opportunity to inform the rest of us about their culture and heritage. I paid attention. I thought I had become rather culturally savvy. I had visited some other parts of the United States and met people from nearly every background I could imagine. I thought I knew some stuff.
It wasn’t until I left the United States in my 30’s for military duty, that I saw what it was like to be in another country as a stranger, sojourner, and foreigner. Differences of language and food and dress and custom became glaringly apparent. I’ve read stories about American behavior abroad and how Americans are considered rude. I’ve read that it was because those Americans assumed that the rest of the world is an extension of America. That those in other countries should be the ones adapting to the American tourists. It’s a lesson in ethnocentrism.
I’m not sure if most people have an “a-ha” moment the first time they leave the country. My guess is, based on the seemingly prevalent notion of American rude ethnocentrism, that they don’t.
In the last ten years, I have been to seven non-U.S. countries. Sometimes it was for military work, other times for vacation, and other times for missionary work. In some countries, I’ve been able to blend in with the population. In other countries, I’d have zero chance of being confused for a national. In some countries, I’ve been embraced. In other countries, I’ve been attacked. In a few, I have had both experiences.
It is from this brief background of cultural experience that I pose this question: what does it look like to be a citizen of the kingdom of God?
The kingdom of God exists in ways that cannot be observed, but we the citizens of that kingdom can be observed.
What is the kingdom of God like?
It is like a man sowing good seeds. It is like a mustard seed. It is like a little bit of leaven (yeast). It is like a treasure hidden in a field. It is like merchant seeking after a fine pearl. It is like a net cast into the sea, bringing up fish of every kind. It is like a housemaster bringing forth old and new treasure. It is like a housemaster hiring vineyard servants. It is like a king at a wedding feast for his son. It is like ten virgins readying for the bride to meet the bridegroom.
Jesus spoke in these parables, using figurative imagery to represent invisible truth.
Who is or will be in the kingdom of God?
The poor in spirit; those persecuted for righteousness’ sake; those who do the will of the Father; those from the east and the west; fish of every kind; those with childlike humility; tax collectors and prostitutes will be there before the chief priests and elders of Jesus’ day; the rich, with great difficulty; those producing “fruit”; Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are there.
Joseph of Arimathea is there. He was a disciple of Jesus and a council member who disagreed with the crucifixion of Jesus. Joseph sought the kingdom of God. Joseph obtained the body of Jesus from Pontius Pilate and brought the body of our Lord to a grave intended to be someday occupied by the body of Joseph himself!
Think about that from Joseph’s perspective: “That grave was meant for me, but Jesus will take my place.” That profound substitution says it all.
Who will not be in the kingdom?
It’s a fair question, I suppose. 1 Corinthians 6, verses 9 & 10 list a number of sins, or more aptly, sin identities that will not inherit the kingdom of God. But verse 11 says this, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!”
Jesus told Nicodemus, “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Be a citizen of the kingdom of God!
When we respond to the invitation of Christ with vulnerability and humility, when repent of our sins and become justified and declared righteous in Christ, our old self becomes buried with Him in death and we are risen with Him in new life!
Walking in that truth and worshiping God with our lives (Hebrews 13), not giving priority to temporary and transitory things of this life, but giving priority to the everlasting, we will be demonstrating what it looks like to be a citizen of the kingdom of God. We are too often consumed with petty differences, political opinions, and distractions. We need to focus on kingdom work! We need to be the visible representatives of that invisible kingdom. When that happens, others will look at us as if we are a stranger, sojourner, or foreigner – even in the nations of our birth! Because we have been born again, we have a kingdom of re-birth: His kingdom.
David A. Larson 