“One Nation Under God,” a phrase in our country’s Pledge of Allegiance, can not only describe the United States, but also a nation of all believers. We are citizens of Christ’s kingdom first. We are temporarily living in this world and in this nation. This is not our final home just as Philippians 3:20 (NIV) says, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” However, while we are here on this earth, we are called to be good citizens of our earthly nation as well as our spiritual nation. We are to be peacemakers, love God, and love others. We are called to an intimate relationship with God. As people of God, our focus should not be only on the happenings of this world but on developing our relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are to share God’s grace and mercy through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we are in the right relationship with the Father, we know His voice and can discern the moving of the Holy Spirit. In regards to our earthly citizenship, we also are to live “under God” while making a difference in our world and standing for what’s right. For those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the United States of America, we have the freedom to focus on our relationship with the Lord through prayer, reading God’s Word, and meeting in public with other believers. However, this does not mean that we only pray and do not participate in the governance of this great nation. Instead, ask the Lord how to pray, participate and present the Christ within you to the governance of our country. Scripture tells us to pray for all of our elected officials on a consistent basis. Regardless if we voted for them or not. Throughout history, God has allowed many leaders and rulers to govern His people. Some of those leaders have aligned with God and his ways, and others not so much. But regardless, God used them to accomplish His divine purposes. Whoever He allows to be in a position of leadership is to be respected and prayed for that they would have wisdom and honorable judgment.

Are you an active citizen of this world—voting and praying for your elected officials? Are you an active citizen of God’s world—sharing God’s love with those around you? If not, what can you do today to change that?