How Can This Be?
“You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. ”
How can I be a citizen of heaven, who was once an enemy of God? This question is a doubt that plagues many of God’s children. Innate within us is a tendency to believe anything untrue about who we are. The truth is we were once dead in our sins but are now alive in Christ because of His rich mercy. (Ephesians 2:1-4) The moment we surrender the reins of our life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we are grafted into His family and become co-heirs with Christ.
A citizen has access to their country and government; likewise, we have access to heaven and God. As citizens of heaven, we can boldly come to the throne of God because of the sacrifice of Jesus. As citizens of heaven, Jesus Himself has prepared a place for each of us. This citizenship is sealed by the Holy Spirit and cannot be revoked.
Our identity is unchanged by how we feel, what others say or slander about us, or even by our mistakes. There is nothing, nor anyone, that can separate us from the love of God. As citizens of heaven, we have a hope that is sure, an eternal home, a place personally designed for each of us.