As aliens and exiles here on earth, we are homeward bound
for heaven. We have no permanent citizenship in this world. Although you may
hold a passport, birth certificate, or some other document declaring you a
citizen of the United States or some other country, the reality is, that as a Christian, your citizenship
should be in heaven (Phil 3:20). As the author of the letter to Hebrews tells
us, “Here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city which is to come”
(Hebrews 13:14).
In today’s world there are so many that call themselves
Christians but give little thought to what is required to become a citizen of
heaven. If you call yourself a Christian and trying to gain citizenship into
heaven consider these questions:
Are you following God’s laws?
Have you pledged allegiance to God and His kingdom?
Did you take the necessary steps to gain citizenship to
God’s kingdom?
Before we go any further let’s consider what it takes for a
refugee to become a citizen of the United States. If a person not born in the
United States desires to be a citizen they must follow certain rules and take
necessary steps to become one. In order to become an American citizen one must
understand what it means to be an American and to know the country’s language
and be subject to its government. First and foremost they desire to become a
citizen. They desire a better country. They must renounce their former country
and pledge allegiance to their new country. There are steps they must take to
gain citizenship. One cannot just come to this country and say they are an
American and become one.
The same goes for the Kingdom of God. We cannot just say we
are a citizen of heaven to become one. Spiritually, we too have also been or
maybe still are refugees. We wander this chaotic earth trying to find “home” to
understand who we are and what our destiny is. We must plainly declare that we
seek a better country, that is a heavenly one, where God is not ashamed to be
called our God: for He has prepared for us a city! (Hebrews 11:14-16).
In God’s process of gaining citizenship to His kingdom, we
must adopt His ways and laws. We are to take on a new identity when we
represent and live in the Kingdom of God. In our process of repentance we
renounce what we use to be.
The Bible is the story of God providing a refuge for lost
refugees. In His Word He shows us a way of life and gives us a new identity.
The apostle Peter proclaims this about becoming a Christian: “Once you were not
a people but now you are a people of God; once you had not received mercy, but
now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).
In order to become a heavenly citizen you must open your
Bible and read what God says. Apply it personally, recognizing this is what God
requires of you. It is what you can and must do.
Again you cannot just simply say you are a Christian and have
citizenship in heaven, you must take the necessary steps to become a Christian
and to gain citizenship into heaven.
To understand what steps must be taken see "Plan of Salvation" on this blog.
I offer many Bible studies on my site www.womanofgodinlouisiana.blogspot.com and/or from your home or mine. If interested please contact me anytime :). Text or call (318)450-2148, or email kimlovesjesus@icloud.com.