Scripture
> So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
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> — Ephesians 2:19 (ESV)
Devotional
What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven’s government. Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honours. The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of citizenship, for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the first-born whose names are written in heaven. As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in heaven that belongeth not to us. “Things present, or things to come,” all are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights. Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent—prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed with his smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for his second advent? We also look and long for his appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven, let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.
Reflection
Spurgeon unpacks what it means to be citizens of heaven: we are under heaven’s government, we share heaven’s honours, we have rights to heaven’s property, and we enjoy heaven’s delights even now. Our citizenship is not a future reality only; we already belong to that city and should live in a manner worthy of it.
What we might miss is the present enjoyment of heavenly realities. We do not have to wait until we die to begin living as citizens of the New Jerusalem.
Goad
Are you living as a citizen of heaven whose walk and actions match your high dignity, or are you still living as a stranger and alien to the things of God? What would it look like today to let your citizenship shape your daily conduct?
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