I
am a citizen of the Kingdom of God...
Ephesians
2:19
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with
God's people and members of God's household...
Truth for Life
July 10, 2013
Citizens of
Heaven
Fellow
citizens with the saints.
Ephesians 2:19
“What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we
are under heaven's government. Christ, the King of Heaven, reigns in our
hearts; our daily prayer is, ‘Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’1
The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us:
The decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey.
“Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven's honors.
The glory that belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already
sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the
spotless robe of Jesus' righteousness; already we have angels for our servants,
saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a
crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we
have come to the general assembly and the Church of the firstborn, whose names
are written in heaven.
“As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven.
Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite, ours the azure light of
the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun, ours the river of the water
of life and the twelve kinds of fruit that grow on the trees planted on its
banks; there is nothing in heaven that does not belong to us. ‘The present or
the future’2- all is ours.
“Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they rejoice
in heaven over sinners that repent-prodigals who have returned? So do we. Do
they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their
crowns at Jesus' feet? Such honors we have we cast there too. Are they charmed
with His smile? It is just as sweet to us who live below. Do they look forward,
waiting for His second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If,
then, we are citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with
our high dignity.”
It’s really hard to imagine, isn’t it? Not only will we be
forever in heaven with Jesus – we will be LIKE Him – fully sanctified – freed
from everything that wears and weighs us down now. But – NOW – God sees
us already there. He doesn’t look at us and see a “potential” citizen of
His Kingdom – but a citizen in fact! We have every right – honor – and
blessing – NOW. At this moment, you are fully His – you have a rightful claim
to the keys to the Kingdom. Why? Because you are “in Christ” – and
“in Him” we have everything! SO – hold your head high – YOU are a citizen
of the Kingdom of God! Sharon
Sharon Pearce, Director
Silent Voices International
355 K Street, Suite H
Chula Vista, CA 91911
619-422-0757
www.silentvoices.org
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