Citizens of Heaven
Hopefully, you all know by now that we (mankind) were created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). However, it does not mean that everyone belongs to God, or is called His own (read 1 John 3:10). Brothers and sisters, in this devotional you will know what it means to be a citizen of heaven, as well as check your own self to know whether or not you truly belong to God.
What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven?
Citizens of heaven means that you belong to the kingdom of God. You are not focused on the things of the world, but the things of heaven. Your conduct will also reflect such things. Apostle Paul states, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NKJV). We are not like those who are at enmity with God and continue to live in sin. Instead, we have been made new in Christ, and only mind the Lord’s business.
Now as a citizen there is a manner in which you are to behave. Let’s look at the following scriptures.
1 John 2:4-6 (NKJV):
4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
Philippians 1: 27 (NKJV):
27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
James 4:4 (NKJV):
4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
All three scriptures have one thing in common, they all speak of conduct. As true believers, we are a representation of Christ. Growing up, I was taught by my parents that I represent them when I am out in public. Therefore, I was on my best behavior in school, daycare, etc. The same is applied in our relationship with Christ. Each of the three scriptures that I mentioned, tells us that if we truly belong to the Lord, we must follow all of His commands. We are not to be lovers of sin, and we most definitely should not try to fit into the world. When you leave your home to go to work, school, or run errands, there is someone that is watching you whether you know it or not. If you call yourself a child of God, your actions should show that. As citizens, we belong to a prestigious nation, we are ambassadors who need to represent Christ well.
Debunking the “types of christians” rhetoric
I am sure you have all heard the saying, “actions speak louder than words”. The exact saying can be applied in our walks with Christ. If you say, you are a child of God, then your actions should reflect that.
1 John 1:5-6 (NKJV):
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
You are not a child of God, a believer, or citizen of heaven, if you actively and continuously live in sin. The Lord gave us a command “To be Holy for I am Holy”(Leviticus 21:8), therefore we should live how Christ lived. With that being said, there is no such thing as a cursing christian, a lying christian, a homosexual christian, a fornicating christian, a tale bearing (gossiping) christian, a greedy christian, a self-seeking christian, a horoscope christian, etc. If you are still in that sin (mentioned and unmentioned), beloved you are not saved.
Don’t take my word for it, read the scriptures!
Colossians 3:1-10 (NKJV)
1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.
1 John 3:4-9 (NKJV)
4 Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness, 5 And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. 6 Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him, and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
If you are saved, your old nature has passed away. As saints, we do not continually live in sin. We do not glorify it nor do we practice sin. Beloved, if you are still living in sin, there is still hope for you to be saved. Do not put off tomorrow what you can do today. Those that are already in the kingdom, be mindful of your actions and represent your heavenly Father well.
If you want to be saved, pray this prayer of salvation:
Prayer: Lord according to Romans 9:10 You state that if I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead, I will be saved. Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite you to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Go in peace.