"But our city is in heaven, from which we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20)
God's Word tells us not to love the world or the evil things in it. However, we must not existentially alienate ourselves from civil society, for Jesus received from God all power in heaven and on earth, and we must correctly discern this apparent paradox. We must live as saints, reborn from the light and separated from all sin, but we must also participate in the common struggle of civil society for life, such as work, human fraternity, institutional learning and obedience to laws and constituted authorities, with wisdom. This is an understanding that is in Scripture and that must be correctly interpreted, lest we fall into either extreme. We are born of God, saved and transformed by faith, we are citizens of heaven, Church of Christ and partakers of the Kingdom of God, which we live within and await in fullness at its coming and visible manifestation. We were bought for God and we no longer belong to this world, we can no longer love the world and its filthiness, keeping ourselves from all sin, and keeping ourselves from participating in the evil works that are practiced in it, but at the same time, we still do not we can existentially alienate ourselves from the face of the Earth, but we must be ambassadors of the Kingdom of God among men, making a difference, preaching the Gospel, glorifying God for the good witness of our actions, being salt of the earth and light of the world. So, even though we are citizens of the Higher Kingdom of God, we must also be good civil citizens, even when persecuted or mistreated, doing good, working honestly, setting good examples, being useful, loving and helping others and fulfilling civic duties, paying taxes, respecting law and order, respecting all people indiscriminately, and subjecting ourselves wisely to the superior governments, which are the constituted authorities, for they are ministers of God for the good of those who conduct themselves honorably, for all power and authority, above all, are in the hands of Jesus, who reigns sovereign from heaven, interceding before God on behalf of all who walk in the light and obey the Gospel.
