As I formulate a response to this question, I cannot help but think of the psalmist who confessed, “I was envious of the arrogant. As I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3). He gets personal with us and admits that it was at this time that his “feet came close to stumbling” and his “steps had almost slipped”, because of envy. Why would any true believer ever envy the unbeliever? We Christians have our sins forgiven, a personal relationship with a holy God, the ability to know and obey the Scriptures, God’s promise that He will never leave us, and a great inheritance waiting for us. But the unbeliever faces only condemnation in the end. The unsaved life cannot compare, and there can be no doubt that Christians are in a better position. Yet, like the psalmist, we sometimes doubt. In our weaker moments, when we turn our gaze from the Kingdom and fix it squarely on the momentary pleasures of this earthly kingdom, our desire for that “better country, that is, a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16) wanes and our troubles soon begin. While it makes no sense at all to envy the lost, we come close to slipping when we experience first hand how living as a member of the Kingdom of Heaven gets us practically nowhere in this earthly kingdom. God calls us to obey government, pay our taxes on all taxable income, be honest in all our business dealings, pull those permits, mind the road signs, not to bend the rules in our favor, not to take advantage, etc. Yet, it would appear that our pagan society makes it nearly impossible to survive, much less get ahead in this life, when we obey all the rules. What makes it worse, and all-the-more tempting to cheat, is seeing the wicked cheat and get away with it. It’s not fair that cheaters and law-breakers (no matter how small or common the offense) should thrive and prosper, while law-abiding Christians struggle. Something is not right.

If the faithful believer in Christ is going to succeed in living like a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven while on earth, he or she needs to realize and stand firmly on several truths, the first of which is that we must expect as much from a fallen world. There can be no question that we are living in what the Bible calls the “last days”, a period of time that will go from bad to worse. The description that Paul gives to Timothy is rather bleak:

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. (2 Tim 3:1-5, NASB). It makes perfect sense that among those in this age who practice good citizenship will find that it backfires on them, while swindlers and cheaters get ahead. It’s a good thing that we Christians are not interested in getting ahead, but in pleasing Christ in all that we do and say.

The second truth is that we must expect to find it increasingly more difficult to live holy lives in a culture of such rapid moral decline. As the culture moves further away from God and His absolute Truth, Christian behavior becomes painfully obvious to its citizens. Christian conduct shines the brightest when the culture is at its darkest. This contrast will most certainly draw attention to God’s people that will range from harmless inquiries to harsh persecution from family, friends, employers, and even government. Praise the Lord that we do not have to be dissuaded from faithful Christian living by such treatment. We should see all of it as a platform for ministry.

The third truth is that whenever the church is persecuted, it grows in both faith and number. The book of Acts, the creeds of the early church Fathers, and the personal written testimonies of both Reformers and Puritans attest the fact that the heat of persecution has a purifying effect on the church. God clears away the chaff in the church that cannot stand for Christ in times of testing. Believers are strengthened in their faith. God demonstrates His faithfulness. The gospel is proclaimed with a boldness that lends credibility to it. There is revival. God adds to the number of the Church.

The fourth truth is from Proverbs 3:5 and 6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Said another way, we must be determined to let the Word of God be our final authority in all matters of life. If we obey the Word, then we are sure to please and glorify God in all we do. God’s Word is designed to help us achieve that goal.

The fifth and final truth that we must reckon with in our battle for sound Kingdom-living while we live on this earth is best expressed in principle form: submit to all human authorities that God has placed over us, unless it is sin to do so. Wives please God when they submit to their husbands, but not when their husbands ask them to violate Scripture. God is pleased when husbands please their wives, but not in way that would disobey Him. Employees please God when they submit to their employers, but not if it means being unethical and unlawful. This principle is an important one, because it helps us prepare ourselves for the day when obeying God’s Word will lead to civil disobedience. If, for example, our country should ever outlaw evangelism, Christians should not stop evangelizing, but should prepare themselves to be prosecuted. When the Kingdom of Heaven and the kingdom of earth collide in our lives, there should be no question as to which of our citizenships takes precedence and no hesitation to obey.

– Dr. Bob Burrelli, Grace Bible Church, Bridgewater, MA