I’ve two passports.

One is dated Nov. 13, 2019, and it was issued by the U.S. Division of State. It expires Nov. 12, 2029.

The opposite is dated June 20, 1968, and it was granted by Mellinger Mennonite Church. It’s my certificates of baptism. There is no such thing as a expiration date.

I carry twin citizenship with the nation of my delivery and the nation I like, and the dominion of my new delivery and the rule of God — wherever Jesus is revered as Messiah King.

“Jesus got here into Galilee saying God’s excellent news, saying, ‘Now’s the time! Right here comes God’s kingdom! Change your hearts and lives, and belief this excellent news!’ ” (Mark 1:14-15). That’s the center of the excellent news of Jesus: He’s the longed-for Messiah King promised all through the mega-story of the Bible.

The dominion of God that Jesus inaugurated is radically totally different than the kingdoms and nation-states of this world.

Nation-states worship cash, self-interest and energy. They’re fast to resort to violence, threats and coercion. Sexuality is glorified and perverted. The wealthy segregate themselves from the poor. The sturdy reap the benefits of the weak.

In distinction, Jesus’ kingdom of God begins with loving God at the start, follows with loving the neighbor and extends even to loving enemies. “Do justice, love mercy and stroll humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).

Jesus is the mannequin; he’s the right king who stepped into the kingdoms of this world to impact a higher good. He saves and blesses those that grow to be his disciples with citizenship in a brand new neighborhood. These residents are a globe-spanning nationality. They uncover a brand new approach of being human, changing into “a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s particular possession” (1 Peter 2:9).

I’m grateful for each of my passports — U.S. and God’s kingdom. This twin citizenship, nonetheless, inevitably bumps towards factors of friction when loyalties get strained. In these locations of battle, my allegiance to Jesus as king takes precedence over allegiance to nation.

In different phrases, my baptismal certificates is extra vital to me than my U.S. passport.

This would possibly sound disloyal, a devaluing of American citizenship. That’s not so. I like this nation. I admire democracy, I pay my taxes, I get pleasure from non secular freedom, I search to be a respectful citizen of America.

However I don’t wed the USA of America with the dominion of God. Patriotism and Christian religion don’t make good marriage companions. The dominion of God — the message of Jesus — all the time, all the time will get twisted and corrupted at any time when God and nation get married.

It has occurred many occasions in human historical past. Like proper now in Russia, the place the Russian Orthodox Church blesses the invasion of Ukraine. Like in India with Hindu nationalism, and in Turkey with Islamic nationalism. It’s taking place right here in the USA with Christian nationalism.

I carry two passports, however I don’t wish to confuse them or mix them — ever. Typically my loyalty to King Jesus might even require disobedience to authorities.

Followers of King Jesus maintain him in larger loyalty and appreciation — a extra passionate love — than the nation-state. The mission of Jesus is worldwide: to avoid wasting and create a individuals whose major function it to dwell out the excellent news of Jesus and to bless their neighbors.

In my lifetime I’ve noticed Mennonite religion communities grow to be way more tuned into partisan and id politics. Members care extra about elections than sharing the excellent news of Jesus. The religion communities of my youth underlined the worth of being distinct from the dominant tradition. In the present day they will can look and act quite a bit like polarized American society — Democrat versus Republican, conservative versus liberal.

I believe it’s time for extra followers of Jesus to do not forget that baptism is their passport of old flame. I believe it’s time for extra Christians to agree that the truths and values that Jesus modeled are extra worthy of our ardour than who wins the subsequent election. I believe it’s time to do not forget that our struggle will not be towards “flesh and blood (different individuals) however towards the rulers, authorities and non secular forces of evil” (Ephesians 6:12).

A 12 months in the past, I preached my ultimate sermon as a retiring pastor. I shared many issues with the beloved congregation, amongst them these phrases:

“The Lord Jesus alone is our king. I hope the day doesn’t come once we put partisan bumper stickers on our automobiles or candidate indicators in our yards. It could be significantly better to show the phrases of Jesus: ‘I got here to hunt and save the misplaced.’ ‘Love your enemies and pray for them.’ ‘Nobody can serve two masters, God and cash.’ ‘What good is it if you happen to get the whole lot you need and lose your soul?’ ”

Two passports. One is short-term. The opposite is everlasting. That makes all of the distinction.

The Rev. Dr. Mark R. Wenger is a retired Mennonite pastor and seminary educator.

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