Introduction
In this edition of our Newsletter, the concept of citizenship as it relates to the Kingdom of God is detailed. Citizenship has been defined as the state of being conferred or invested with the rights and privileges of a citizen whereas a citizen, on the other hand, is “the native of a city, or an inhabitant who enjoys the freedom and privileges of the city in which he resides; the freeman of a city, as distinguished from a foreigner, or one not entitled to its franchises” (Webster).
Qualifying for Heavenly Citizenship
Every nation or State has its own requirements to receive its citizenship. It may be by birth or by application or something else Prior to conversion of believers, they remain foreigners in the kingdom of God. This is supported by scriptures which read that “at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:12-13).
Soon after regeneration, believers receive authorization to become children of the Most-High God, not by natural descent but by the will of God the Father (Jn 1:12-13). This sonship of believers is through adoption by Christ Jesus (Rom 8:14-17, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:5). Christians, after having become children of God, receive citizenship in the commonwealth of Heaven, as Paul informs us, that, “Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).
In the Kingdom of God, the only requirement to become a citizen is grace, through faith in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:8). It needs to be said that to become a citizen of Heaven:
• One does not need to have a permanent job or residential address.
• There is no need to show financial statement or demonstrate any ability to take care of oneself.
• One´s past criminal record (s) is/are not a hindrance to obtaining it.
To be eligible for a citizenship of heaven requires a person to receive the gift of God in faith. It is
said that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:9-10). Anyone, irrespective of his/her race, creed, religion, political affiliation, gender, among others, who shall sincerely call upon the name of the Lord and Savior Jesus shall be saved (Acts 2:21, Rom 10:13).
It must be reiterated that, unlike that of the world, discerning children must themselves accept the free-gift of God willingly to be qualified to be citizens of Heaven. This tells the importance of training own children in the ways of God (Gen 18:19, Pro 22:6) and leading them to individually accept the Messiah.
Christians as Aliens on Earth
Knowing that Christians are citizens of heaven, they become aliens or strangers on earth. People of faith in the Old Testament (Gen 47:9, 1Ch 29:15, Psa 39:12), not being able to receive the promises they hoped for, but seeing them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth (Heb 11:13). This is emphasized in the writings of the Apostles. Peter advises that “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1Pt 2:11).
The above paragraph tells why believers should not be identified with this temporal world.
Christians are being encouraged not to love the world nor the things in the world because if any person loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him/her (1Jn 2:15). For all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of the Father, but of the world (1Jn 2:16). Moses knowing this, chose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin in this world for a season (Heb 11:25).
Jesus emphasized that believers are foreigners in the world when He said: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (Jn 15:19). In His prayer for the church, Jesus mentioned that He has given the disciples the word of God and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as He is not of the world (Jn 17:14, 16).
Conclusion
Christians, though live in the world, are citizens of Heaven. They, therefore, remain immigrants or aliens in this world. That is why the world hates them. Believers need not love this world since everything in it is passing away, and loving the world would rob them of their heavenly citizenship.
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, one thing we ask of you is to help us to always remember that this world is not our home so that we shall be mindful to live for you always. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN!