THERE’S much talk about who can be a citizen of the United Kingdom.
How easy or difficult should it be to become British?
What conditions should we have in place?
Who should be turned away?
Christian teaching includes a responsibility to care for the stranger and the refugee.
It also gives us rights and responsibilities in another community – the Kingdom of God.
This community cannot be pinned down to time and place, and according to the Bible, often has values at odds with our own society.
The kingdom of God is where corruption has been eliminated – where justice is for all, regardless of wealth or power.
It’s where the poor are important, where lost people can be brought home, and where those who have been put last will come first.
There are no borders or passports, and no illegal immigrants – all are welcome.
The Kingdom of God, according to Jesus, is within us; existing in hearts and imaginations, inspiring actions that challenge oppression, injustice and poverty.
We can even find that being aware of our highest responsibilities – the spiritual ones – helps us to be better citizens of all our communities.
People who stand up to tyranny, or act compassionately, or work for peace amid conflict, are those who lead the way in living their spiritual values.
Such people show us the Kingdom of God is close and we can all be citizens.
Kim Tame is a member of Wokingham Methodist Church, where Sunday services take place at 10.30am
For information, visit: For information, visit: wokinghammethodist.org.uk
