You Are a Citizen of Heaven
Where do you claim to be a citizen of?
Verse of the Day
‘But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. ‘
Today’s Devotional
I have lived in America all of my life. I was born here and have never left this country other than to travel. It is interesting to me that some people are really proud of the country where they live, while others seem indifferent.
Today’s verse tells us that we are not citizens of any country on this planet. We may live in a certain place, and we should honor the leaders of our country. But our citizenship is in heaven. That is where we are from.
The dictionary defines a citizen as a “native or naturalized member of a state or nation who owes allegiance to its government and is entitled to its protection”. I’m not here to argue about who would be a native citizen of heaven versus a naturalized citizen. If you believe in Jesus, you fit into one of those two categories. That’s enough for me. We owe our allegiance to God. He deserves our loyalty and devotion. As citizens of heaven, we receive protection from God Almighty.
There is something powerful about where we attach ourselves with regard to citizenship. What do you claim? As I have travelled to other countries, I can observe them from the standpoint of a spectator. I can see the things that work really well, the things that don’t seem to work as well, and enjoy the cultural differences. I can see those things because that country is not my home. That same perspective is how we should look at any and all earthly citizenship. This place is not our home. Heaven is our home. And we get to live today with eager anticipation of getting to go back home someday, all while getting to be instruments of God’s love to others while we are here, for however long that is. Because that is who we are.
Journal Prompts
Answer only the questions that seem relevant to you today.
How easily do you claim your citizenship in heaven?
How readily do you attach yourself to your country of residence on this earth?
How can you behave today as simply a traveller on this planet?
How can you eagerly await getting to go home to heaven?
How can you bless those around you?