Throughout history, Christians who did the most for this present world thought most of the next. Following are examples of men who lived as dual citizens of heaven and Earth, who weren't afraid to challenge the moral, social and political issues of their day.

 

John Wesley (1703-1791)
Co-founder of Methodism, opposed slavery and encouraged mineworkers to resist inhumane treatment by their employers.

 

William Wilberforce (1759-1833)
British parliamentarian who sought to rid England of the slave trade.

 

William Carey (1761-1834)
Pioneer missionary to India took infants into his home when they were left to die, and gave medical care to the abandoned sick and lepers. Fought to make illegal the detestable practice of burning widows alive on their husbands' funeral pyres.

 

Lewis Tappan (1788-1873)
Successful businessman founded the Magdalene Society, which ministered to unwed mothers in New York City. Also helped found the American Anti-Slavery Society, and recruited former president John Quincy Adams to defend the Amistad slaves, as depicted in the movie Amistad. Also established the nation's first credit-rating agency, the Wall Street and Merchant Exchange, today known as Dun & Bradstreet.

 

Charles G. Finney (1792-1875)
The father of modern revivalism, he had a major role in the illegal Underground Railroad, breaking unjust laws to gain freedom and save the lives of many slaves.

 

Charles H. Spurgeon (1834-1892)
The famed author and Baptist preacher built 17 homes to help care for elderly women and homes for orphans in London, rescuing them from starvation and vice on the streets.

 

Dwight L. Moody (1837-1899)
Noted American evangelist who opened homes for underprivileged girls, rescuing them from exploitation.

 

Robert G. LeTourneau (1888-1969)
Father of modern Earth-moving equipment, LeTourneau was among the few men who amassed a fortune during the Great Depression. He gave away 90 percent of company profits and 90 percent of his personal income. He also gave workers Sundays off when production lagged behind schedule.

 

Four Ways You Can Live as a 'Dual Citizen'

 

1.Be heavenly minded.

2.Be a good steward of the Earth--your home, your work, your finances.

3.Love people--relationships are eternal.

4.Work to improve society--help the needy, confront injustice, do your job well, create to God's glory.

 

By Randy Alcorn, the director of Eternal Perspective Ministries (epm.org) who has taught on the part-time faculties of Multnomah Bible College and Western Seminary in Portland, Ore. He is the author of 20 books, including Heaven, a definitive biblical study of the place where Christians will spend eternity.