Citizens of Two Kingdoms
This past April, I had an experience that many of you may not have had—but it involved something you all already possess: U.S. citizenship. While most of you were born into it, I recently had the unique opportunity to receive it. After a long process and completing the civic test, I officially became a U.S. citizen.
One of the most striking lessons I learned in that process was this: Every citizen of this country is given certain rights and entrusted with certain responsibilities. Among our rights are freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and the right to vote. At the same time, we are also responsible for obeying the law, paying taxes, participating in democracy, and even, when necessary, serving in defense of our nation. These rights and duties remind us that citizenship is not just a privilege—it is also a commitment.
But as followers of Christ, we are not only citizens of the United States. We are also citizens of the Kingdom of God. And like our earthly citizenship, the citizenship comes with both blessings and responsibilities. As people of God, we are given beautiful privileges: We can worship freely, pray boldly, and trust in God’s presence, provision, and protection. We can call upon the Lord at any time, knowing that we are heard and loved.
Along with these blessings, come the responsibilities of faith. Jesus calls us to love our God with all our heart, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are invited not only to know God’s will, but to live it out. Jesus bore the cross in obedience to God’s will. He healed the sick, uplifted the poor, welcomed the outcast, and served those in need. This same calling—to love, to serve, to be present for others—is now ours.
Being a citizen of God’s Kingdom means living in the way Jesus showed us. It means worshiping sincerely, praying faithfully, and loving generously. And it means being mindful that our true identity isn’t just defined by the nation we belong to, but by the God we serve.
As we journey together in faith, I pray that each of us will embrace the joy and the responsibility of living as faithful citizens—not only of this country, but of the Kingdom of God.
Amen.
Pastor Jinha Choi
First & Wesley United Methodist Church