One of the most unique things about the Christian faith is that we are one body (in Christ) composed of individuals from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. We can go to the other side of the world, literally, and meet someone whose language we cannot speak, yet experience an unexplainable connection to them through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

We can be born to any ethnic group in the world, but as followers of Jesus, we have a common citizenship that supersedes any earthly allegiance – that is, our citizenship in heaven.

What is a citizen?

Merriman-Webster defines a citizen as “a native or naturalized person who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to protection from it.” By virtue of their birth, citizens are granted all the rights and privileges belonging to their nation. Citizenship also comes with certain responsibilities and duties. For instance, we are bound to uphold the laws of our native country. And, as we know, in certain countries, a person may renounce their natural citizenship to one country in order to become part of and proclaim allegiance to another country.

The Bible says that we are citizens of heaven. We once were citizens belonging to Satan’s domain, but Jesus has rescued us and transferred us into His kingdom, bestowing on us all the rights and privileges of such citizenship. Now we are under the protection of our King, who is the Sovereign Ruler of all.

Colossians 1;13-14 – For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Philippians 3:20 – For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

This kingdom is a reality, not just a fairy tale. When Jesus came, He brought the kingdom of God near (Luke 10:8-11). Sometimes we forget we are citizens of another kingdom because we can’t see it and touch it; it is presently a spiritual kingdom. One day, however, the kingdom of God will be visible to all.

As the messiahship of Christ involved two phases, a coming in humility to suffer and die, and a coming in power and glory to reign, so the kingdom is to be manifested in two realms: the present realm of righteousness or salvation when men may accept or reject the kingdom, and the future realm when the powers of the kingdom shall be manifested in visible glory. The former was inaugurated in insignificant beginnings without outward display, and those who accept it are to live intermingled with those who reject it until the consummation. Then the kingdom will be disclosed in a mighty manifestation of power and glory. God’s kingdom will come; and the ultimate state will witness the perfect realization of the will of God everywhere and forever. – George Eldon Ladd

Do you ever feel “out of place” in this world, like you just don’t belong? That’s a good thing, because two kingdoms do exist, and you can only belong to one. We’re either part of the kingdom of God’s enemy, Satan, or we are part of God’s kingdom, having gained our citizenship through Jesus.

Becoming a naturalized citizen of our country is a lengthy, expensive process. There are fees to pay, facts of history and law to learn with tests to pass, and a long waiting period in which you are “sort of” a citizen but not really. You must prove you are worthy of being granted citizenship.

I’m so grateful that my heavenly citizenship was a gift. Jesus paid the price in full by His death on the cross. There were no tests to pass before I was granted the full rights of my citizenship, but in grace and mercy, He gave me the living Word of God to guide me as I learn to walk in my new citizenship. I was never asked to prove that I was worthy; instead, He made me worthy by cleansing me from all my sins and sending the Holy Spirit to live His life through me.

Are you a citizen of heaven?

If you are, then live faithfully as a member of God’s kingdom with all its rights and privileges as well as its duties and responsibilities. If you are not part of the kingdom of God, I urge you to apply for citizenship as soon as possible!

The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his head is, and his home is, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon things above; and where his heart is there will his conversation be. – Matthew Henry