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 13 of 24

DIVINE IMPLICATIONS

There are strong implications to our heavenly citizenship. We are not left to conjecture in these inferences--they are revealed to us in God's Word. It is not enough to merely adopt a right position, although that it imperative. The benefit of Divine provision is enjoyed at the point we participate in the blessing, embracing it by faith. In the heavenly Kingdom, there are no un-embraced benefits!

Heavenly Conduct

When our expressions are wrought within the framework of faith, they bring true benefit to men and glory to God. "Good works" are accomplished within the framework of God-awareness. That consciousness is what makes our work effective. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matt 5:16).

It is not possible for our "light" to shine if it is not within the greater context of Divine light. Just as Moses' face radiated as a result of being in the presence of God, so our works become luminous by Divine exposure. As citizens of heaven, we experience the influence of our home country NOW. This is brought out by the declaration of the fellowship into which we have come. "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Heb 12:22-24).

The words "we have come" speak of fellowship, accord, and access. They are experiential as well as provisionary. It is assumed that we are focused upon these realities, else we could have no fellowship with them. By saying "we have COME," the involvement of our wills is accentuated. We "come" by focus, preference, and a sense of belonging.

This is a heavenly society to which we have "come." As we maintain this association by faith, our "light" begins to shine. To put it another way, we "let" our light "shine" by looking intently upon things that "are not seen" (2 Cor 4:17-18). This makes our works appear differently from those of the unregenerate. Men will "glorify" our Father in heaven because of the heavenly glory that permeates our works. The glow of the homeland will thus be found in what you do. That brings honor to the Lord, whether the works are accepted or rejected. As it is written, "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life" (2 Cor 2:15-16a, NRSV). That can only be said of lights that are shining. That light shines from heaven through men.

The point to be seen here is that citizenship in heaven contributes to us being "the light of the world" (Matt 5:14). Without that citizenship, the result of being in Christ Jesus, we are not light, and thus cannot shine in the darkness. Praise God, we are citizens of heaven!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the joyful experience of being a citizen of heaven, and having my name written there.

-- Tomorrow: WAITING ON THE LORD --