Remembering our allegiance in the battle

Today at Milton's Daily Dose I wrote about salvation as more corporate than individual. At Spiritual Conversations, Larry Chouinard shares related thoughts on identity and community:

Contrary to popular opinion, Paul's letters are much more concerned with cultivating an ecclesial vision of identity and mission, than the personal salvation issues that often dominate Christian discussions. His letters are addressed to Kingdom outposts scattered throughout the Mediterranian world. His instructions and advice are not of the Ann Landers variety, but speak to specific concerns about community cohesiveness and their social identity in the broader culture.

. . . . These embedded colonies of heaven incarnate a new public order in the midst of Imperial structures, and embrace values and prorities that often run counter to the prevailing propaganda. The identity and integrity of the community demand resisting the tendency of the [dominant] culture to control and reshape [its] mission in terms that further and promote nationalistic causes or secular agendas. Kingdom loyalties and commitments transcend all institutional and national allegiances.

Mr. Chouinard goes on to describe three themes Paul directs towards shaping these communities' life and mission. It's well worth reading the whole thing.