07/04/2017
This morning is Independence Day in the United States and as a citizen of such, I think about the significance of this celebration to me as an American. But what this leads me to is a deeper consideration of that day when I announced my personal independence from all but Jesus Christ... seeking to become a citizen of a heavenly realm... a Christian.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.”
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV
John proclaimed the arrival of the kingdom,
“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 3:1-2 KJV
And by doing the will of God, and accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior, we enter into it.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
But entering into, or becoming a resident of a country doesn't carte blanch make you a citizen. You must either have been born into it, or go through a process that qualifies you, and the most telling part of these processes is when one swears allegiance to it, and its rulers.
“Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."”
John 3:3 ESV
As we just read in John 3, this is true of the heavenly kingdom as well... we don't just go to church every Sunday and Bible Study once a week and become citizens of heaven. Those things are indicative of the steps in the process, but we get no document of citizenship by performing them. We must be born again, and implicit in that rebirth comes a change to our lives. Jesus has made provision for our rebirth.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 7:21 KJV
This all begs the question... how do we become citizens? Well, it isn't hard to understand here are the steps as I discern them. Hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ, believe it is true, confess that Jesus is the Son of God and your savior, repent and ask forgiveness for your sins, be baptized, and live by the laws of the kingdom... as Jesus and the Bible have defined them. If we do these things our citizenship is secured. None of the steps are hard to understand, but they require much of us in completing them. Are you ready to begin the path to citizenship, or are you well along your way and living each day in anticipation? Either way, I pray for your success and look forward to that day when our citizenship is finalized by judgement.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for making provision through your Son Jesus Christ for all those who hear, believe, confess, repent, join, and live by Him to become citizens of your kingdom. I thank you for your mercy and grace, because the land I travel from (humanity) is debased, and wretched, and my citizenship there is less than worthless. Even so Lord, you have seen worth in me... enough so that you sent your only begotten Son to the cross that I might be forgiven my sins, and live with you forever. I struggle each day Father to live the life of a Christian, and a citizen of your kingdom. I pray that you find me worthy, through the blood of your Son, to claim that citizenship. On the day of my judgement may your Son know me as friend, and joint heir, and I hear your proclamation... "Citizen!"
Rich Forbes
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”
Ephesians 2:19 ESV