A Citizen of Heaven?

Have you ever considered the profound truth that you are a citizen of heaven living on this earth (Philippians 3:20)? Have you pondered what that means? The Word of God informs us about this truth and provides life-changing clarity.

What makes you a citizen of heaven? Believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God has transformed you. You “have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). You inwardly (within your spirit) share the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). You are in union with Christ, and by this union, you are filled with Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:4,5; Colossians 2:9,10). Through Jesus, you are adopted and made a child of God (Ephesians 1:5). This transformation has resulted in your new spirit, your new life, being hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3); your old spiritual condition no longer exists (2 Corinthians 5:17). No longer should you evaluate yourself simply as mere human; you are much more than that! This requires the help of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of truth was given to live in you and He will lead you into all truth (John 14:16,17; John 16:13).

As a citizen of Heaven, you must look beyond human limitations; beyond human thinking, beyond human strength, and only possessing human resources. You must allow the Holy Spirit to rise from within you, taking charge of your humanity; taking charge of your mind, will, and emotions; bringing you out of a mere human state, into the power of God. This requires a desire to yield to Him and partner with Him as He takes charge of your life. Because the Spirit lives in you, this provides the equipping necessary for you to “know the things that have been freely given to you by God” (1 Corinthians 2:12). Your old nature, that is your spirit without union with Jesus, did not allow this. Scripture confirms that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10). This veil of ignorance and blindness is removed when you believed in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:14). As a citizen of Heaven, you have every opportunity provided to gain understanding and increase in knowledge of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and who you are as His workmanship. You are actually in union with the One who is the treasury of all wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). And because you possess the Spirit who is from God, you have the “mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart” (1 Corinthians 2:16, Amplified); this truth applies to the quality of your spirit where the Godhead resides.

This may be a lot to digest as you consider these truths which will be overwhelming if you only lean to your own understanding. But the Holy Spirit will minister to you, allowing you to receive understanding according to God’s Word. As truth is ministered a boldness will rise from within you. As a child of God, you are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1)! You may be limited according to human standards but people will witness a boldness because of your union with Jesus; they will marvel and be moved, realizing that you have been with Him (Acts 4:13). Dwelling within you is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 8:11)! The disciples were bold in the Lord through His Spirit, and He “granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands” (Acts 14:3). This is the same Spirit who is within you! These are characteristics of a citizen of Heaven.

Your human weakness has been changed into a bold lion! Nothing is impossible for God and you are united with Him. Renew your mind according to His Word and allow His thoughts to be your thoughts. Know that His strength is your strength. Be in expectation and hope of your position as His child. Believing in Jesus gives you access to God Almighty, where you come boldly into His presence according to His Holy Spirit that resides in you (Ephesians 3:12). Your sufficiency now comes from God (2 Corinthians 3:5), a privilege of being a citizen of Heaven!