Our True Citizenship: A Heavenly Kingdom Beyond Earthly Nations

As followers of Jesus Christ, the apostle Paul reminds us that “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” This profound truth calls believers to recognize that their primary allegiance transcends earthly national boundaries, political affiliations, and cultural identities. While we live in physical nations and engage responsibly within them, our ultimate identity and loyalty rest in the eternal Kingdom of God, a Kingdom that knows no borders and surpasses all earthly divisions.

This heavenly citizenship has profound implications for how we view conflict, justice, and mission in our present age. Jesus commands His followers to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Such radical love is not naïve passivity but an active, Spirit-empowered witness to the reconciling power of the Kingdom. It challenges the cycles of retaliation and animosity that characterize much of human history, including political conflicts and wars between nations (Romans 12:17-21).

Moreover, Jesus commissions His Church to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This Great Commission calls believers to expand God’s spiritual Kingdom through the proclamation of the gospel and the transformation of lives. Our focus, therefore, should be on advancing God’s reign by sharing the good news, making disciples, and nurturing communities marked by love, justice, and peace (Acts 1:8).

The beatitude “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9) encapsulates the heart of Kingdom living. Peacemakers actively pursue reconciliation—not only between individuals but also between peoples and nations. Yet, peacemaking rooted in Christ goes beyond temporary political solutions; it addresses the deeper spiritual conflict underlying human strife—the battle between God’s Kingdom and the powers of darkness (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

This leads us to the vital reality of spiritual warfare. The apostle Paul reminds us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). This spiritual battle transcends any human conflict. Therefore, while earthly nations may clash over territory, ideology, or resources, Christians are called primarily to engage in the spiritual fight, advancing God’s Kingdom by wielding the armor of God—truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).

Focusing excessively on earthly conflicts risks distracting believers from their true mission and identity. Nationalism and political polarization can cloud our vision, causing divisions within the Body of Christ and neglecting the gospel’s power to unite diverse peoples into one family in Christ (Galatians 3:28). While we should seek justice and peace in our societies, these efforts must be grounded in and subordinate to the higher call of Kingdom advancement (Micah 6:8).

In conclusion, as citizens of heaven, Christians are called to embody and extend the values of God’s eternal Kingdom. We are called to love our enemies, be peacemakers, and focus on spiritual warfare and gospel mission. The expansion of God’s Kingdom and the transformation of hearts stand above all earthly conflicts. Our hope and loyalty lie not in nations or political power, but in the sovereign reign of Jesus Christ, who will one day make all things new and establish peace without end. Go you therefore and Light up the darkness!

Bible References in NIV and NKJV

1. Philippians 3:20

NIV: But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

NKJV: For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

2. John 18:36

NIV: Jesus said, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.’

NKJV: Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.’

3. Matthew 5:44

NIV: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

NKJV: But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

4. Romans 12:17-21

NIV: Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

NKJV: Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

5. Matthew 28:19

NIV: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

NKJV: Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

6. Acts 1:8

NIV: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

NKJV: But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

7. Matthew 5:9

NIV: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

NKJV: Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.

8. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

NIV: All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

NKJV: Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

9. Ephesians 6:12

NIV: For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

NKJV: For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

10. Ephesians 6:13-17

NIV: Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

NKJV: Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

11. Galatians 3:28

NIV: There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

NKJV: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

12. Micah 6:8

NIV: He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

NKJV: He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

13. Revelation 21:1-5

NIV: Then I saw ‘a new heaven and a new earth,’ for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’

NKJV: Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’ Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’