Where's Your Citizenship?

“Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.” The commander answered, “With a large sum, I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.” — Acts 22:27-28 NKJV

 “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” — Ephesians 2:19 NKJV.

Citizenship comes with rewards and responsibilities. Citizens receive the protection of the country’s government and military, vote, serve in the military, receive social security and other financial benefits, and hold public offices. In many countries, citizens receive free healthcare.

Paul’s readers understood citizenship. The Roman Empire protected its citizens, and messing with them brought serious consequences. Roman citizens had the right to appeal to Caesar and have him try their case. This is why the centurion and those who would beat Paul in Acts 22:27-28 were afraid when they found out he was a Roman.

Embracing Your Identity as a Member of God's Household

In Ephesians 2:19 NKJV, Paul wrote, “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.”

Family Holding Hands

The Lord Jesus makes His disciples saints and members of God’s family. God is the High King of Heaven. His children are citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. We are also made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, protected by angels who obey the Word of God (Psalm 103:20), heirs of a rich inheritance made kings and priests ambassadors of Christ, and so on.

Prioritizing God's Kingdom Over Worldly Affairs

Since we are citizens of God's kingdom and heaven, God’s agenda is more important to us than any other. One of the things the enemy has deceived us into focusing on is the affairs of this world.  We get so caught up in our life drama, politics, and all the other stuff going on in the world, and we forget that this world isn't even home.

Man Looking Up At The Galaxy

The kingdom of darkness controls the world we live in. The things that it considers important are considered an abomination to God (Luke 16:15). We often focus on things that have no true importance in the light of eternity. At the same time, the kingdom of darkness claims one soul after another. Therefore, in Revelation, Jesus could say to the church that He did not find works complete in His sight.

The Primacy of Heavenly Citizenship Responsibilities

The Lord has shown me many places where I am guilty of this. Our Lord will bring us home soon, and we will all have to give an account of whether we carried out the responsibilities of our faithful citizenship. All this is not to say that we must neglect our citizenship duties here on earth. There are things we need to make sure we're doing. But the responsibilities of our Heavenly citizenship are more important.

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Group of Students Praying

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for adopting us and making us citizens of Your heavenly kingdom. Please forgive me for not treating my citizenship with more respect. Please give me mercy and grace to live as a citizen of heaven. May my refocused life bring glory to You and bring the lost into Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn

1.     How will knowing about being a citizen of God’s kingdom with benefits and responsibilities change how you see your current circumstances?

2.     How has focusing on earthly citizenship stopped you from fulfilling heavenly responsibilities?

3.     With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and empowerment, how will you align one area of your life with the Word of God to behave as a citizen of heaven?