But our citizenship is in heaven.
Summary: The idea of citizenship in heaven is a provocative peek into our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Citizenship is something many of us take for granted. Growing up, I never worried about carrying citizenship papers until I traveled overseas. Before traveling outside the country, I needed to get a passport. Getting a passport required proving that I was a citizen.
When it comes to our spiritual citizenship, a paper passport doesn’t help. When we pass from this life, we don’t get to take anything with us. Instead, God judges our hearts (Jeremiah 11:20, 1 Corinthians 4:5). It is our heart itself that becomes our heavenly passport.
So, how do we know if our “papers” are in order?
This is an important question, and not everyone agrees on what the answer is. We are not here to tell you what to believe. Instead, we encourage you to think about the question and develop your own answer.
In general, there are two schools of thought on this matter.
One school is like traveling overseas. As long as you have your passport paperwork in order and ensure you have your passport with you, you are good to go. The other school of thought is a bit different.
This second school of thought requires that we see our heart as the passport. Keeping our “heart passport” up to date means that we keep Jesus in our hearts.
James talks about this difference when he writes, “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds” (James 2:18b).
Jesus says something similar when he tells the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).
In the story Jesus tells, ten virgins are waiting to greet the bridegroom when he comes for his bride. All ten expect to be able to go in with the bridegroom.
In this particular story, the bridegroom is slow in coming. In fact, when he finally arrived, it was dark. All ten virgins had lamps, but only five had brought oil with them. We don’t know why the other five didn’t bring oil for their lamps, but the bridegroom came and they weren’t ready.
It is a sad story because all ten virgins had come for the party. All ten had waited by the gate for the bridegroom. All ten had lamps with them, but only five were ready. Only five get to go in.
Paul tells us that we are to follow his example (v. 17). He also tells us that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ” (v. 18).
Our “heavenly passport” isn’t a matter of what we do. Instead, our passport is defined by why we do what we do.
Application: Active faith is actively serving Jesus every day.
Food for Thought: How is being a citizen of heaven different than being a citizen of any country here on earth?
Wow, that is a good question because in my understanding of citizenship, both earthly citizenship and heavenly citizenship share similar qualities: identity, allegiance, task and purpose, and perspective.
How is being a citizen of heaven different than being a citizen of any country here on earth?
First, I would have to say that no country here on Earth is immutable. In fact, quite the opposite. No matter what mankind tries to establish, there will always be a waxing and waning, shifting of value and opinion, and whatever “good thing” mankind tries to accomplish, it will always erode into corruption.
Isaiah 24:5
The earth lies defiled
under its inhabitants;
for they have transgressed the laws,
violated the statutes,
broken the everlasting covenant.
Being a citizen of Heaven means we serve the King eternal. Immutable, incorruptible, full of grace and mercy, faithful. His Word is truth and it stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.
Additionally, our home is in Heaven. We are no longer of this world. When we accept Christ as our Lord, our identity is in Christ; we let go of this world and embrace Him.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Finally, being a citizen of Heaven means that God upholds us. I don’t believe we can honestly say the same for any country here on Earth.
Psalm 37:23-24
23 The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
when he delights in his way;
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
Chris,
Thanks for sharing your analysis. I love the way you break it down: identity, allegiance, task and purpose, and perspective.
Good stuff!
How is being a citizen of heaven different than being a citizen of any country here on earth?
1.) Through Jesus Christ we have undergone a transformation.
2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2.) In Jesus we have received eternal life, now.
John 10:28, I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.
3.) In Jesus, our citizenship is now in heaven. We have become foreigners, exiles temporarily existing on this earth, as representatives of our eternal God, by the power of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:11, Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.
Philippians 3:20-21, But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Our new citizenship is not a stamp in a book with an expiration date and limited power. It is an eternal change in our hearts by the power and authority of God which grants each eternal access to our creator through Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Ron!
An eternal change in our hearts is right!
Well said!
Good devotion, thanks.
Paul
Thank you, Paul!
I appreciate you!! 🙂