The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time. —Jackie Robinson, American Athlete
Jackie Robinson was the iconic first basemen for the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke through the color-barrier that prevented Blacks from becoming professional baseball players. African-Americans also know him as a formidable businessman and Civil Rights leader. Robinson fought for 'first-class citizenship' for us in a time when it was being denied. People of color (and women) were deemed 'second class citizens'—persons belonging to a social or political group whose rights and opportunities are inferior to those of the dominant group in a society. Jackie Robinson and many heroic others put their lives, families, and careers at risk to align themselves with citizens, both born in the USA and naturalized, who were not receiving promised human rights and respectful treatment.
CITIZENSHIP is the position or status of being a citizen of a particular country. Whether this is 'status' in terms of high rank or social standing is debatable depending on how the particular country engages with the citizen—a legally recognized subject or national of a state or commonwealth, either native or naturalized. Most in America consider US citizenship to be particularly valuable. People from other nations attempt to come to this Country by various legal and illegal means in hopes of procuring this most precious identification. They engage intense study and testing on the history and values of the US before they are ceremonially sworn in as citizens. Many pursue dual citizenship to live in both their home country and the US, which they believe offers more opportunity and freedom.
True Christ followers hold dual citizenship. We have a TEMPORARY earthly nation in which we live, work, play, and exercise civic duties like obeying the law, serving on juries, paying taxes, and being willing serve in the military. However our PRIMARY and ETERNAL citizenship is in the Kingdom of God and of our LORD Jesus Christ. That makes us Heavenly Citizens. When we pray the LORD's prayer, we say "Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." (Matthew 6:10) Sadly, some who claim to be Christians are in love with this world's systems, structures, mores, and values, which are run by Satan, who is called the god or the ruler of this world, even by Jesus (2 Cor. 4:4; John 12:31). The Bible clearly tells us NOT to love the world or anything in it. This world is not of the Father and it is passing away, but whoever does God's will abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17) Christ followers are to bring the virtues of Heaven here. This earth is not our home. We are strangers in exile. (Heb. 11:13)
Paul told the church at Philippi about the earthly treasures, status, education and notoriety he had forsaken, calling them garbage, in order to gain Christ. (Phil. 3:10) It was his aim to forget the past (good and bad) and "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (vs. 14). He admonished the church to:
17Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
For Christ followers, it doesn't matter who is in the White House. It matters who is on the Throne. We will all have to answer to the LORD for what we do about our Heavenly citizenship. Are you more oriented toward Heaven or earth? | 
