As believers in Jesus, we have dual citizenship. We are citizens of Heaven and of Earth. When I was much younger, I sometimes felt different but couldn’t really say why. My imagination would tell me that I was not of this world. I was an alien on Earth.
Now I know that as a child of God, I should be different from those who do not know Jesus. We are resident aliens on this world. Our home is in Heaven, God’s kingdom. Jesus is God so He is our king. He was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth. So Jesus is the King of kings.
As citizens of Heaven, we are urged to be good citizens of Earth. The apostle Peter, one of the chosen 12 disciples of Jesus, told believers to maintain good conduct among nonbelievers so that they would see our good deeds and glorify God.
Peter also said to submit to all human authority for Jesus’ sake because they are to punish wrongdoers and praise those who do good. We should honor all people, love our brothers and sisters in Christ, and fear God,
We are to honor God and be Kingdom builders on Earth. Jesus taught us to pray that our Heavenly Father’s kingdom come and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven. So, as citizens of Heaven, our lives should make other people want to have citizenship in Heaven, too. With the help of the Holy Spirit inside of us, we are a beacon to God wherever He places us.
Prayer
Almighty God in heaven,
Thank You for wanting us to be with You in Heaven and that You do not want any of us to perish. Help us to bring Your Kingdom of Heaven down to Earth. We want everyone to know and love You as we do. May Your Holy Spirit guide us in doing Your will.
In Jesus’ name, Amen
Verses
Philippians 3:20 Our citizenship is in Heaven
1 John 3:1 God, our Father, calls us His children
1 Peter 1:1 We are living as resident aliens
2 Corinthians 5:1 We have an eternal home in Heaven
Matthew 28:18 Jesus was given all authority in Heaven and on Earth
1 Peter 2:12 Live properly so unbelievers will see your honorable behavior and give honor to God
1 Peter 2:13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority
1 Peter 2:14 The king has sent appointed officials to punish those who do wrong and honor those who do right
1 Peter 2:17 Respect everyone, love the family of believers, and fear God
Matthew 6:10 God’s kingdom come and His will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven
Matthew 5:16 Let your light shine so your good deeds are seen and Heavenly Father is honored
2 Peter 3:9 God is patient and wants all to repent so will not perish
Song
“Build Your Kingdom Here” by Rend Collective is a great song to motivate us to pray for revival in our nation. The verse about seeking God’s kingdom first and refusing to waste our lives is a rally cry for revival.
Call to action
If you have already prayed, read the verses, and listened to the suggested song, then list ways to be a good citizen of Heaven and tell us some of them so we can do them, too.