“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” CS Lewis
Philipians 3:19-20 “Whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Let’s consider these points as we live out our Heavenly citizenship while on earth, and on into glory!
1. Who Will you Serve?
Joshua 24:15a&c And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve.. but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Romans 6:20-22 “For when ye were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness. What fruit had you then in those things that you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”
We all will serve either sin unto death, or the Kingdom of God unto life. Each Kingdom has their wages and benefits. As obedient servants of God, we are indebted and committed to Him - by choice and devotion. Because God so greatly loved us, we are able to forsake sin, and love Him in pureness and passion of heart.
Charles Spurgeon quoted, “Consider how precious a soul must be, that both God and the devil are after it.” Yet, each soul must ultimately decide for him/herself whom they will serve.
God’s Kingdom rule is truth, love, peace and righteousness. Satan’s rule is deception, hate, fear and rebellion. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
2. A Citizen of Heaven
Philippians 3:20 “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Citizenship: “The administration of civil affairs, or of a commonwealth. The form of government and the laws by which it is administered. A state, a community.”
Citizen: “A native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is also entitled to protection from it.”
Billy Graham’s last address to America was in a short video called "The Cross.” In it he said: "I know where I've come from, I know why I'm here, I know where I'm going, do you?"
He knew His allegiance, he knew his citizenship, and he lived that others would know the same. What joy awaits the saints of God who have lived in faithfulness to Him!
3. Committed to the Kingdom
The cost of this Kingdom is full allegiance. Anytime the Lord shows us something that has our allegiance more than Him, we lay it down at His feet.
Our full allegiance means we are completely given to the Word of God, the love of God, and the wisdom of God. Our full allegiance is saying no to the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. It is saying yes to seeking God first and foremost!
Matthew 6:25/33 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?… But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
4. Get Your Mind out of the Dirt
Philipians 3:19b (TPT) “Their boast is in their shameful lifestyles and their minds are in the dirt.”
In this information age, if we are not rooted and grounded in the Lord, it becomes easy have our minds in the dirt.
There is an excess of access to dirt. It is yucky, worldly pig slop. Lasciviousness, greed, lust, competition, lack, fear and war.
If you find you are craving what this world can’t give, good! We all should recognize what we are really craving, and that is fellowship with Jesus. When you have fellowship with Jesus, you don’t crave anything earthly anymore! He truly satisfies the longing of the soul.
Lift your eyes, and keep your gaze ahead, fully focused on the Lord Jesus. This is the way to victory.
5. The Blessings of the Kingdom
As we give our life to our Commander and Chief, Jesus Christ, we get the benefits of protection and blessing that come from His Heavenly government! His blessings always outweigh the cost of surrender to Him.
The benefits of being a citizen of Heaven are, well — out of this world!
Eternal salvation, eternal life, eternal joy, eternal peace. Eternal union with Jesus, eternal provision, eternal victory, eternal freedom.
Luke 1:33b “and of His Kingdom there shall be no end.”
Receive what you need from the abundance of His eternal kingdom today.
6. You Are an Ambassador
You exist now to be a conduit of heaven on earth. You are not just “suffering until Jesus comes back.” By the blood and the Spirit, you're living and walking in the heavenly kingdom, not only as a citizen, but an ambassador!
Let us rise to every occasion, to bring as many souls with us into the Kingdom that we can.