What does it look like today for us to live as dual citizens of our nation, but devoting ourselves to the kingdom of God? In our increasingly polarized environment, there is a cultural expectation of what it means to “honor the emperor” that may approach ultimate trust or devotion. No political party can or should claim that place of authority in a Christian’s life – nor should we expect to find deliverance there.

The counter-cultural gospel subverts the chronic despair of lost people with the hope of everlasting life. It subverts the crippling power of shame with the healing force of atonement. It undermines living for self-protection with the mighty assurance that we are thoroughly known and infinitely loved. It replaces the pretensions of a life-story about worldly power with the beauty of a story of God’s redeeming heavenly power. It works everywhere!

My deep prayer for your life is that you will know Jesus Christ more truly so that you can distinguish what matters in life from what trivializes, or distracts, or leads astray. I want your love to abound for each other to deepen through knowledge, the kind of knowledge that lets you discern trash from treasure, false narratives from the true story, loving focus from selfish or prideful pursuits.

In Paul's apparent humility of Philippians 1:1-2, is powerful subversion of the world order. Paul’s very identification as a slave of Christ declared to Rome “You’re not the boss of me. 

Looking away from ourselves to the LORD I AM makes us shine. It’s like the way sunlight hits the water and makes it shimmer. Light makes a rather dull creek look like a ribbon of gold winding through green woods. We get lit up by the radiance of God. Our lives are warmed from within. Our words and faces sparkle with hope and peace.

I am in the grip of Jesus. He has laid hold of me and raised me from death to life. He has lifted me from the illusion of lack to the truth of his sufficiency. I am not left to figure out life alone. As I surrender to Christ, he guides me. He will take care of everything.

Jesus ran for joy, He ran for a reward. His reward was him “being seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” This is where he fixed his eyes. It was the vision of this finish line that carried Him through the suffering and shame. It was His goal! He had told His disciples “That where I am, there you may be also.” What is our goal? It is Jesus Himself. He is our goal.