Citizenship in ancient Rome had an essential requirement that those who were citizens were endowed with both privilege and responsibility.  The expectation of a Roman citizen was that they must vote, pay taxes, serve in the military, and hold official positions.  Citizenship in Rome came from birth.  It could alsobe earned through some noble task or service, or could be bought.

St. Paul, in his letters, spoke often of his Roman citizenship.   For him in the first century, his citizenship was the equivalent of a passport.   It also meant that a Roman citizen could not be jailed without certain preliminary procedures that were carried out through due process.   It meant those who were citizens had a right to appeal and could choose either a Roman or a local trial.   This became very important in the latter chapters of the Book of Acts.

Paul often compared Roman citizenship with citizenship in the Christian community.    In the Christian community, we have certain rights and responsibilities.   We make commitments as we come to the community.  These commitments gain privileges such as membership, leadership, and accessibility.   Primarily, membership in the church community speaks of responsibility to the people of the church and the general community.  

Paul taught that, in addition to being a part of the Christian community or the church, we are citizens of heaven.   Philippians 3:20 says, “But our citizenship is in heaven…”   Jesus says to Peter in Matthew 16:19, “I will give you the keys of the kingdom…”  Jesus further indicates that whoever is bound on earth will also be bound in heaven.  We must share our faith.  The Bible teaches that our citizenship ultimately is transferred from our church community to the heavenly community.  The old preachers used to say, at every funeral, that the deceased “transferred their membership from church militant to church triumphant.” This, of course, meant they were no longer members of a local church.  Their membership was struck from the roll of the church and they were citizens of heaven. 

Our culture is terribly consumer.  We often focus on our privileges rather than our responsibilities.   One of the main responsibilities of Christianity is to share our faith with others.  We hold the keys of the life and death of other souls.  God calls us to at least attempt to unlock their hearts with the message of Jesus.  The truth is, as Christians, our future is secure but the future of those who don’t know Jesus is not secure.  Our lives must strive to bridge that chasm and bring faith and eternal life to all we meet so that they, too, may be citizens of heaven.  

Prayer:  Dear Lord, help me to be a good citizen of the church and loyal to my Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.