CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:20-21, NASB)

Devotion 8 of 24

PONDER OUR SITUATION

Our heavenly citizenship is confirmed by our present situation. OUR Father is in heaven (Matt 6:9)! From that lofty realm, His eyes are upon the righteous, and His ears are open to their cries. When men behold our light, they glorify our "Father which is IN HEAVEN" (Matt 5:16). When we conduct ourselves in a godly way toward our persecutors, we are known as "the children of our Father which is IN HEAVEN" (Matt 5:45).

OUR Intercessor is in heaven (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25)! How beautifully this is stated in Hebrews 9:24. "For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but IN HEAVEN ITSELF now to appear in the presence of God for us." As our High Priest, He is now placed at "the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in THE HEAVENS; a minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb 8:1-2). The ministry He is fulfilling is that of intercession, through which we are being saved. As it is written, "Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25).

OUR inheritance is in heaven. How glorious to contemplate this reality. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved IN HEAVEN for you" (1 Pet 1:4)! The knowledge of this inheritance will equip you to live under all circumstances in this world. Some have "took joyfully the spoiling of [their] goods, knowing in [themselves] that [they] have IN HEAVEN a better and an enduring substance" (Heb 10:34). No wonder the hope to which we have been called is said to be "laid up for you IN HEAVEN" (Col 1:5).

The greater part of our congregation is in heaven (Heb 12:23; Eph 3:15)! The body of the redeemed is called "the whole family in heaven and earth," named after Jesus Christ (Eph 3:15). The greater part of that Divine family is doubtless "in heaven." They are also described as "the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written IN HEAVEN" (Heb 12:23). The people of God, as heavenly citizens, certainly do not lose their heavenly citizenship when they "depart" from the arena of warfare. They are among "the spirits of just men made perfect" (Heb 12:23b).

The bodies with which we shall be clothed in the resurrection are "from heaven" (2 Cor 5:2). Faith has brought our renewed spirits into sharp conflict with our present body. We must buffet it, bringing it into subjection (1 Cor 9:27). But this will not always be the case. When this earthly tent is taken down, we will occupy another house of permanency. The Spirit says it this way. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (2 Cor 5:1-2). That is nothing less than the resurrection body, and we are waiting and longing to occupy it.

The Gospel we have embraced was preached to us in the power of the Holy Spirit from heaven. Scripture says it this way. "To them [the Prophets] it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven" (1 Pet 1:12). In this, as well as other ways, we have "tasted of the powers of the world to come" (Heb 6:5). It is the heavenly origin of the Gospel that causes it to be so powerful.

It is no wonder that we join the saints of past ages in joyful acknowledgment of the blessed condition. Of them, it is said, "having seen them (the promises) afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Heb 11:13, NKJV). If this was true of them, who "all died in faith, NOT having received the promises," what will be the confession of those who have embraced and experienced those very promises?

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus I thank and praise You for revealing the centrality of heaven in our relationship with you through the Son.

-- Tomorrow: FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH --