Day 120 — The Way Forward — Citizens of Two Kingdoms

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God…” -- Romans 13:1 (ESV)

As followers of Jesus Christ, we live with a dual identity. We are citizens of heaven, redeemed by grace and secured for eternity, yet we are also called to live responsibly and faithfully here on earth.

Romans 13 reminds us that our faith is not disconnected from daily life—it speaks directly into how we live, how we respond to authority, and how we represent Christ in a watching world.

Paul begins with a command that can be challenging, especially in a culture where authority is often questioned or resisted: “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Romans 13:1, ESV). This is not a suggestion—it is a clear instruction. And Paul grounds it in a foundational truth: “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1, ESV). That means government, in its essence, is part of God’s order in a fallen world.

Now, this does not mean that every authority always acts rightly or justly. Scripture is honest about the failures of leaders. But it does mean that the institution of authority itself has been established by God to restrain evil and promote good. Paul writes that rulers are “God’s servant for your good” (Romans 13:4, ESV).

So what is our response? Submission. Not blind allegiance, but respectful obedience. Not compromise of our faith, but consistency in our conduct. As Peter writes, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution” (1 Peter 2:13, ESV). Notice that phrase--for the Lord’s sake. Our submission is ultimately an act of worship. It reflects our trust in God’s sovereignty.

We are called to “honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:17, ESV). Even when we disagree, even when we struggle with leadership, we are still called to live with respect and integrity.

Paul goes further: “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed… respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (Romans 13:7, ESV). These are practical expressions of godly citizenship. Why does this matter?
Because our conduct either reflects or distorts the Gospel we proclaim. When we live with humility, respect, and integrity, we “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1 Peter 2:15, ESV). Our lives become a testimony.

But Paul does not stop with civic responsibility—he moves to relational responsibility. “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8, ESV). This is powerful. The only ongoing “debt” we carry is love.

Paul summarizes the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet—and then says, “any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9, ESV). Why? Because “love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10, ESV).

This kind of love is not natural—it is supernatural. It is not produced by human effort alone; it is poured into our hearts by God. When we walk in love, we reflect the character of Christ. Think about it—if love governed our actions, how different would our relationships be? How different would our communities look? Love seeks the good of others. Love restrains selfishness. Love leads us to act justly and walk humbly. This is what it means to live as a citizen of heaven while still on earth.

Then Paul lifts our eyes even higher—he points us to eternity. “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep” (Romans 13:11, ESV). There is an urgency here. Paul is saying, wake up. Don’t drift through life spiritually asleep. “For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11, ESV). Every day brings us closer to the return of Christ. “The night is far gone; the day is at hand” (Romans 13:12, ESV).

This world, with all its darkness and brokenness, is temporary. The light of Christ is coming in fullness. And because of that, we are called to live differently now. “So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12, ESV).

Notice the language—cast off and put on. There is a deliberate action here. We are to lay aside sin--“orgies and drunkenness… sexual immorality… quarreling and jealousy” (Romans 13:13, ESV)—and instead walk in the light.

How do we do that? “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14, ESV). To “put on” Christ means to clothe ourselves in His character. It means to walk as He walked, to love as He loved, to live in obedience to the Father. And it means being intentional—not giving space for the flesh to take hold.

Paul’s message could be summarized simply: Wake up. Dress up. Clean up. Look up.

• Wake up—be spiritually alert.
• Dress up—put on Christ.
• Clean up—turn from sin.
• Look up—live in light of His return.

This is the life of a faithful citizen.

So today, reflect on your identity. You are a citizen of heaven—but you are also a representative of Christ on earth. Your life is a witness. Your actions matter. Are you living with respect toward authority? Are you loving others genuinely and consistently? Are you awake spiritually, or drifting? Are you living in the light of Christ’s return?

The world is watching. And more importantly, God is at work in and through you. Live in such a way that your life brings Him glory.

Prayer:
Father, thank You for calling us to be citizens of heaven and ambassadors for Christ here on earth. Help us to live with humility, respect, and integrity in every area of life. Teach us to submit to authority in a way that honors You, and to trust in Your sovereignty over all things. Fill our hearts with Your love so that we may love others genuinely and selflessly. Wake us from spiritual complacency and help us to live with urgency, knowing that Your return is near. Lord, clothe us with Christ—shape our thoughts, our actions, and our desires to reflect Him. Guard us from the pull of the flesh and lead us to walk in the light. May our lives bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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