CITIZENSHIP

But our citizenship is in heaven. —Philippians 3:20

…my fellow workers, whose names are written in the book of life. —Philippians 4:3

When I travel from one country to another I have to show my passport. It identifies the country I am a citizen of and my birth information— showing that I am alive. But, my passport is only good for a certain amount of time that allows me to exit my home country and enter another one. But those who follow the Lord Jesus have a Passport that never runs out and allows the “holder” when they leave this life to enter heaven.

According to the verses above those who follow Jesus are citizens of heaven and their names are written in the book of life— never to be erased (Revelation 3:5). Oh what joy to think that one day I will be going home to my “country” and be there forever. I have enjoyed living in America. There is much beauty here even with this planet being in a “fallen” state affected by sin. I also enjoy the home where we live, the family He has given to me and the church family He has placed me in. As much as I love these things, they are all temporary and will pale in comparison with the wonders of heaven and the perfection that will be there.

What is my “Passport” for getting into heaven? Faith in Jesus is the One who gets me there. No amount of good works can get me there. Nothing that I can do except trust in the finished work of Jesus at the cross and through His resurrection can get me there. When I trusted Jesus my name was written in the book of life and I became a citizen of heaven. How about you? Are you a citizen of heaven? Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life?

Many people have gotten passports and have come to the United States because it is a grand land. Is it a perfect land? No, it is far from it. Like all the nations of the world it is affected by sin. Sin has no national boundaries, but neither does the Word of God. As grand as America or any nation is, they all pale into insignificance when compared to the glory of heaven.

So, are you a citizen of heaven? If not, why wouldn’t you want to be? It has perfect leadership in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and it is a perfect place. All people there will be perfect! Wow… Become a citizen today by calling on the Name of the Lord Jesus, turning from your sin and following Him.

Thank You Father for that perfect place of heaven that awaits all who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus. Oh, to see Jesus— that will be a joy and so it will be to see all who love Him there as well. May I live faithfully for Him until I see Him. May it be so!