Citizenship in Christ (Identity in Christ, part 8)
Question #8. Where is my citizenship in Christ?
My citizenship is in heaven even though I am on the earth. In this sense, the kingdom of God is a present possession for me.
"But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." (Philippians 3:20)
"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13–14)
Even though the child of God lives on earth, he is no longer under the curse of sin and death, no longer subject to God's righteous judgment against his sin. He is a rightful citizen of God's heavenly kingdom, the redemptive kingdom of the exalted Christ.
Question #9. How could a sinner like me possibly be a citizen of heaven?!
Because Christ sits on God's throne reigning over all things, and you are seated with Christ.
"that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, [21] far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. [22] And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church," (Ephesians 1:20-22; see Matthew 28:18; 1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 2:9-10)
and also,
"even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—[6] and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 2:5-6; see Matthew 3:9-10; 16:18-19; 21:42-22; Luke 12:32 )
Discuss or Meditate
How is God's kingdom of redemption different from the kingdom of Satan and the kingdoms of the world? What are the main spiritual blessings of being citizens in God's kingdom? What does this mean for my citizenship of my earthly nation? Does my citizenship on earth not matter at all? Does it matter even more? How does my citizenship in heaven differ from my earthly citizenship?
For Prayer
Thank God that He has graciously and powerfully transferred us from darkness into the kingdom of redemption in Christ. Praise God for the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.