Deeper Reflection
The word “exiles” in 1 Peter 1:1 and “strangers” in Hebrews 11:13 come from the Greek word parepidemos, which is better translated as “resident alien”. There is a tension inherent in this term. To be “alien” is to acknowledge that we don’t belong, because our citizenship is not of this world but of God’s kingdom. Yet we are “resident”, because we are placed in the world and belong to an earthly country.In a sense, we hold “dual citizenships”, but these “citizenships” are not equal. Having been baptised into the body of Christ and accepted into the kingdom of God, our fundamental allegiance must be to God, and our fundamental identity must be derived from God and His kingdom. This was seen in the life of our Lord. While submitting to Pilate’s interrogation, Jesus made clear that there was another kingdom that took priority in His life and actions.This has tremendous implications for us as Christians of Singapore. We seek to be faithful ambassadors of God in our spheres of influence, even if we must swim against the tide. We learn to live the ethics and values of God’s kingdom, even if the world thinks we are foolish. We trust not in the strength of the financial system or the armed forces, but in God who raises the dead. We rest our hopes not in earthly peace and prosperity, but in a new heaven and new earth which King Jesus will bring when He comes again.By doing these, we entrust Singapore and her future into God’s hands. May our Kingdom pledge ever be: “We the Christians of Singapore…”!