Dual Citizenship
Most of you who read this are citizens of the United States. Some of you may also hold citizenship in other countries. My prayer is that those of you who read this also hold citizenship in heaven. In describing those who are the enemies of the cross of Christ, Paul describes them as those “who sent their mind on earthly things”. He then writes this in verse 20: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”. We know from other passages that citizenship in heaven isn’t granted to everyone but rather it is granted to those who have received Jesus Christ as Savior. Those who are born again into the kingdom of God receive citizenship in heaven. If you have received Jesus Christ as Savior do you think much about that? Is your mind set on “earthly things” or is your mind occupied with things of heaven and the kingdom of God? In Colossians chapter 3 verses 1-2 Paul writes this: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” I know that the pull of this world is strong; not only toward sin but just toward the world itself. We constantly feel the pressures of this world and the urgency of it. However, as a citizen of heaven we know that this world is not our home. Even if you live to be 100 years old, the time you spend in this world compared to the time you will spend in heaven is like a grain of sand on an ocean beach….it’s way less than miniscule. So what is your mind set on? As you function as a citizen of heaven you are best suited to function properly as a citizen of this world. Do you eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, why not? Putting our focus on the things of heaven is God’s desire. When we are most heavenly minded we are most earthly good as well.