For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ[.] Philippians 3: 20, NKJV.
Heavenly Father and Gracious God, we thank You and we praise You, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made – fully equipped for eternity! May we always dwell in Your presence that we might be transformed into Your image. In the holy name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
We will continue with our study on our heavenly citizenship. It is a study that thrills me. We, sinful creatures, in spite of the fact that we have fallen from our state of innocence, are nonetheless destined, to live among angels, in a perfect atmosphere, where God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, dwell! Hallelujah!
Let us look at another aspect of being a citizen of heaven: God is still working on the citizens! Look at what the apostle Paul says in verses 12-14 (I dedicated a devotional to these verses some time ago). “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” I have not yet attained to perfection, but I am holding on! I am not letting go of my claims to heavenly citizenship. Heaven is my home! Praise God! Even though I fall on occasions, I have not lost my citizenship in heaven.
What a difference between the way God treats us, and the way we treat each other! Many people who become citizens of some countries can lose their citizenship because of certain crimes (actions considered contrary to the good of the public), behaviors (disloyal behavior towards the state), or situations (residing for a specified time, or indefinitely, in another country). Most of these laws apply primarily to naturalized citizens, but some may even apply to native born citizens.
When it comes to being a citizen of heaven, the entire human race acquire citizenship by choice, through naturalization – the new birth (John 3: 3). Yet God will never take our citizenship away once there is the slightest desire in us, to retain it! We are the ones who give it up. How often our actions toward each other, and to creation as a whole, is considered “contrary to the public good,” but when we sincerely repent, God, in His infinite mercy, for Christ’s sake, forgives us, and allows us to maintain our citizenship! How many times our behavior is in blatant disloyalty toward the Community of Faith; and we bring shame to the Savior and to His cause. Nevertheless, the minute we feel sorry for our sin and repent, the Lord lovingly takes us back into the fold. Many have lived for so many years in a “far country,” but as soon as they “come to their senses,” and decide to return home, the Father comes running to meet them (Luke 15: 20)!
The apostle Paul, as well as you and I, can rejoice in the fact, that sinners can become citizens of heaven – sinners saved through the grace offered to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Not that we have already attained unto perfection, but we press forward, “toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” our Lord! Do not be discouraged if you are not yet the person you hope to become. Christ is still working on you, and with you, and in you! He is the great Sculptor! When He is through molding, and shaping, and cutting away, not even you will recognize yourself. So take heart – you have not lost your citizenship!