Trinity XXIII- Citizenship- Philippians 3:20

On the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity, the Scripture readings emphasize the appropriate attitude of believers to secular authorities. Many passages of Scripture point out the general duty of Christians to be law-abiding whenever they can in good conscience. Even corrupt governments may provide some degree of order and security. However, human authorities do not have ultimate authority; only God does.

In today's Epistle from Philippians, the Apostle Paul reminds Christians where our highest loyalty is. In Philippians 3:20, he writes, "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (BCP/Coverdale, NKJV, ESV). As Christians, we look to heaven and divine rule. We seek to apply our earthly citizenship within the higher context of our heavenly citizenship and our loyalty to our Lord Jesus Christ.    

Trinity 23- Philippians 3:20; Matthew 22:21

In differing ways (and somewhat ironically in view of the present American situation), both the Epistle and Gospel for this Twenty-third Sunday after Trinity deal with issues of Christian citizenship. In Philippians 3:20, St. Paul reminds us of our ultimate loyalty. As believers, our true citizenship is in heaven, not in any earthly nation or empire. While we respect the just claims of civil authority, and while we may love a land, its people, and its culture, only God and His rule deserve our highest and deepest loyalty. So we must elevate God above all men and beware of political leaders, party platforms, or governments that claim too much for themselves.

Our gospel from St. Matt. 22:15-22 is the familiar passage where opponents try to trick Christ in political matters. Jesus avoids the trap, and more importantly, He gives believers a general theological and moral principle for dealing with the governing authority. In St. Matthew 22: 21, our Lord tells us all: Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.

The implication is that all residents benefit to some degree from Caesar’s political and economic system represented by his money. So despite the real failings of any government, all residents owe the powers-that-be some tax.  On the other hand, all human beings have also been created in God’s spiritual image, and so we owe God much more than taxes. We owe God ourselves, body, mind, and soul.

Together these two passages establish basic Christian principles for political and social life. Whatever we do in worldly matters, we must always look to our Christian values and priorities. God always deserves our highest and deepest loyalties. His Law and His Gospel must be our guides. We may respect Caesar’s function in this world, but we serve God first, even when it means opposition from earthly powers. We pray for our country and for officials- even as Christ and the apostles did for those who killed them. But our chief calling is to strive to live in ways consistent with our heavenly citizenship and consistent with the example and teachings of Jesus Christ our true King.