The Citizenship of the Christian

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Where does the Christian belong?

I’m a citizen of one country, resident in another and currently staying in a third. But none of them are home.

I realise this song is about Russia/Rodina, but it seems fitting:

in order to frame this:

Philippians 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Tell you what, here’s another one. Play this at my funeral but don’t dare miss the last verse, because if you do then you miss the whole point:

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

 

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  1. Roger Gallagher

    Hi Dave,

    I have to disagree with you in regards to “I Vow to Thee My Country” – I’m with Stephen Lowe on this one. I would feel uncomfortable about this song being sung at my church. To me, the song’s emphasis is in the wrong place – too strong on an unquestioning patriotism “The love that asks no question” to a flawed sinful institution (any country).

  2. David Ould

    You could be right, Roger. I think I take it that the song is saying to even those who have a strong patriotism that there is a yet stronger allegiance to which all are called.

    But I get what you’re saying.

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