To what country do you owe your allegiance? The chances are that most of our readers are citizens of one particular country. You have the rights and privileges of that country and a certain sense of belonging and security.

More and more people, however, no longer consider it as important to be a citizen of just one country. More people than ever have, or are seeking, dual citizenship. No one seems to be keeping record of how many dual citizens live in the United States but their numbers are rapidly growing. It is said that up to forty million Americans could claim dual citizenship. Some countries, such as Ireland, allow a person whose grandparents were from Ireland to have Irish citizenship. In theory, if your grandparents would gain Irish citizenship (because of their grandparents), then you could also apply later.

The U. S. government permits, but does not officially recognize, dual citizenship. The traditional view of the U. S. government is that you cannot be loyal to more than one country at a time. Even the oath of citizenship of the United States seems to suggest that view. In part, the oath says: “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America . . .”

Most people who have dual citizenship do not, however, see it as inconsistent. “Why can’t I be loyal to two countries?” they claim. One wonders what would happen if the two countries ever went to war against each other!

In relation to citizenship, the Bible teaches what has been called “the two-kingdom concept.” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews” (John 18:36). Jesus said of Satan’s kingdom, “How shall then his kingdom stand?” Thus, there are two kingdoms spiritually, the kingdom of God (or kingdom of heaven) and Satan’s kingdom.

Jesus further said, “He that is not with me is against me.” Even more specific are Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24: “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.“

We cannot be dual citizens of Christ’s kingdom and Satan’s kingdom, though many would like the “best” of both kingdoms. There is no such thing as the best of both kingdoms. They are mutually exclusive. Living in sin and rebellion against God—drinking, drugs, immorality, materialism, living for self, and other forms of hedonism—prevent people from enjoying anything but a lip service to true Christianity. The guilt and the destruction of mind and body bring misery and regret. This makes miserable sinners and miserable professing Christians.

Only when we declare our allegiance to Christ and His kingdom, will we find peace of mind, satisfaction, and meaningful purpose in life. Even the material things of life bring no satisfaction unless we seek Christ’s kingdom first. Jesus said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [the food, shelter, and, clothing that we need] shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

As Christians relate to their government and the citizenship it offers, the two-kingdom concept is still applicable. Though we are citizens of an earthly kingdom, we owe our first allegiance to the kingdom of God.

We are called to be obedient citizens of the government we are under, but Christians are, first of all, citizens of God’s kingdom. When government officials ask us to do something we know is contrary to God’s will we must be respectful but say “no.” This happened at least once to the early disciples when officials asked them not to preach in Jesus’ name. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Regardless of his location or earthly citizenship, the Christian’s call is: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

-by Roger Berry