Citizenship has its privileges as well as responsibilities and thereby those who are citizens value being members of the community to which they belong. As a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a citizen of a community made up of believers from all the ages, as those for whom Christ died, rose from the dead, ascended to heaven, and will come again for His own. Notice the marks of citizenship:
Philippians 3:20–21 (ESV) — 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
As citizens of the “heavenly city” we have the distinction of living with hope as we await the return of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. As we see in Romans 8, this hope is a “groan” or deep longing for our new home.
Romans 8:18–25 (ESV) — 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
The citizens of the “heavenly Jerusalem” as it is called have the distinction of living with hope, which is not a mere “wish” but an earnest expectation based on something that is sure – it’s just “not yet.” In addition, while we await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we as citizens of His Kingdom, have the distinction of being worshippers. Notice how we go from being strangers and aliens to “fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God – all for the purpose of being true worshippers.
Ephesians 2:18–22 (ESV) — 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
As a dwelling place for God by the Spirit, we also have the distinction of being presented to God by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, both as He brings us home but also as He presents us as worshippers, making our worship acceptable as He has made us accepted.
Hebrews 2:9–13 (ESV) — 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Citizenship has its privileges and responsibilities that should not be taken for granted, rather cherished. For a little help in the matter it’s good to remember the place from which we have come as we have been brought into this special citizenship.
Ephesians 2:11–17 (ESV) — 11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
Just a few thoughts on the blessing of being citizens of the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider the benefits as well as the responsibilities.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
