How To Live Differently As A Citizen Of Heaven
As someone born into American citizenship, I admittedly don’t often stop to think about all of the provisions and protections my citizenship guarantees. It’s too easy to take something for granted when you’ve never known life without it. A quick Google search, though, reminds me that my citizenship grants my right to vote in U.S. elections, makes me eligible for federal benefits and jobs, enables (usually) easier travel outside of the country, qualifies me to run for political office, and promises a variety of protections.
The other day, I was reading about when Paul was arrested and on trial in the last several chapters of Acts. Soon after he was arrested in Jerusalem, after finishing his third missionary journey, Paul was being led into the barracks where he was to await trial. He asked the commander leading the way to first let him speak to the gathered crowd, which was aroused, violent, chaotic and ultimately upset that Paul’s preaching of the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles was disrupting their comfortable status quo. What gave Paul leverage to ask–and then be granted–this request in the midst of such dangerous commotion? His citizenship in Tarsus, “no ordinary city” (Acts 21:39). A mere mention of this citizenship was all it took, and he was granted his request.
In the following chapters, Paul’s status as a Roman citizen offered him incredible protection! For example, in Acts 22, when Paul was probably minutes away from being flogged, he made mention that he was a born Roman citizen. What happened next? “Those who were about to question him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains” (Acts 22:29). Wow–the power that came with claiming that citizenship!
As I read this, I stopped to think about believers’ Heavenly citizenship and the life-changing benefits that come with it. Because I know I am just passing through this world and will one day live eternally in Heaven, I can:
- worry less about my temporary, earthly troubles.
- confidently battle sin and the devil, both of which Jesus has definitively defeated through His death on the cross.
- enjoy God’s peace that passes understanding deep in my soul no matter what challenges I’m facing.
- live victoriously, knowing my eternal destiny is already secured.
It’s pretty incredible to think about confidently claiming my status as a citizen of Heaven, and then navigating daily life with the transformative power and security that citizenship guarantees. Although trouble surrounded Paul, he knew, in those moments in Acts 21-22, the protection his Roman citizenship provided. In the same way, when trouble surrounds us, we can fix our eyes on Jesus, who has already signed off on our Heavenly citizenship. The peace, protection and joy we are promised can be claimed today–and every day. No need to wait until we’re actually stepping triumphantly into our eternal home!
Can you imagine being an American citizen but choosing not to take advantage of the benefits and assurances that come with that status? Take possession of what you’re entitled to, citizen of Heaven! And live differently because of it.
But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. -Philippians 3:20