I am a citizen of the United States of America. Many of you who read my devotions are citizens of other countries. I am sure most, if not all, of you, are very proud to be a citizen of your country. You stand and honor your country when the national anthem is played. You get teary-eyed when men and women are honored for fighting for your country. I am one of those people who respect the emblem of the flag and hold dear the liberties for which my countrymen and family members fought.
Paul, in Ephesians 2:19, is addressing those who have entered a relationship with Jesus Christ. He wants them to understand they are no more strangers or foreigners to the household of God, but are “fellow citizens” with the saints. They had changed their citizenship to a dual citizenship. Their allegiance should be first and foremost to this new leader, Jesus, and the Kingdom of God.
Ephesians 2:19 “Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;”
With new citizenship comes new responsibility. We are under a new authority. As an American citizen, there are responsibilities such as paying taxes. All who work are required to pay a certain amount of taxes. We have a responsibility to obey the law. As a Christian, we have a responsibility to keep God’s law. God’s law requires we tithe. Tithes, a tenth, like taxes, are based on a percentage. Taxes are required to keep the country going. Tithing is required to keep God’s work going. Not that God needs our money, but tithing is God’s way of allowing God’s people to be a part of something much greater than ourselves.
As a citizen of America, there are laws that govern my life. Every country has laws that must be kept, or there will be consequences. Sometimes, that may mean fines to pay, other times it may require incarceration. As a Christian, I am under the authority of God. I am to obey the laws that God has set forth for His people. As with any citizenship, if I don’t obey there will be consequences. As a citizen of America and the Kingdom of God, I must obey both authorities unless God’s law is compromised by man’s law. In Acts 5:29, Peter speaks to the council because the apostles violated the orders to not preach when they were told not to. Peter informs the council that God’s law superseded man’s law. My citizenship to Heaven must be supreme to any other country.
Acts 5:29 “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.”
Citizenship also brings privileges! We all like privileges. As an American citizen, I have certain privileges. I have freedom of speech, due process of the law, and I am granted protection, even when going to other countries. In the kingdom of Heaven, we have the protection of the King of Kings! I am granted power by the Holy Spirit. I am given direct access to God through His Son. I am given eternal life when I become a citizen of this country. I not only become a citizen of the country, I am welcomed into the family. I am now an heir to all that a child of the King receives. Wow!
Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
Do you have citizenship in Heaven, or are you still an alien? The benefits of this citizenship far outweigh any other benefits from another country. We have a King, a Father, who hears our requests and can grant much more than we could ever imagine. He answers our request in a greater capacity than we ask, and he takes pleasure in doing so. This new citizenship brings with it a country that is perfect and will never end! One day, I will no longer have dual citizenship. This earth will pass away, but my citizenship in Heaven will last forever. Nothing thrills my soul more than the thought of being able to one day inhabit this country forever. Think about that!
Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”
