Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
Merle’s dual-citizenship story highlights real responsibilities to earthly governments (taxes, obeying laws, loyalty oaths) but insists the “primary allegiance” is to the “King of Kings”; what are the practical signs that your primary allegiance is actually Christ’s kingdom rather than merely a belief you affirm?
Another way to ask: What everyday signs show that your first loyalty is really to Christ’s kingdom, not just something you say you believe?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests primary allegiance shows up when you faithfully carry basic civic responsibilities yet clearly “default” to Christ’s Kingdom in moments of conflict, ordering your identity, time, and obedience around the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”
- Merle describes listing civic duties to retain U.S. citizenship: “I will pay my taxes. I’ll obey the laws,” showing he recognizes earthly responsibilities.
- He also took Canada’s oath: to be a “loyal subject of Queen Elizabeth II,” acknowledging real commitments in earthly kingdoms.
- Yet he repeatedly states: “my primary allegiance… my primary identity… is the Kingdom of God.”
- He frames earthly loyalty as secondary: “I’ll be a loyal subject… But I’m primarily a child of the King and a servant of the King of Kings.”
- He highlights the test case: when “the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this earth are in conflict… our primary loyalty is to the Kingdom of God. And that’s where we default to.”