In Jesus You Are: Understanding Your Identity in ChristSample

Thursday: In Jesus I am a Citizen of Heaven

Read: Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20

SOAP: Philippians 3:20

“But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” 

When it comes to our identity, who we are is so much more than our name. We often describe someone by including their age, hair color, the work they do, the language they speak, and the country they’re from. These details help us form a picture in our minds so we can have a shared understanding of who we’re talking about, or to help us more easily identify someone if we’re meeting them for the first time. 

Throughout this study we’ve been learning that the identity God gives us is very different from the way the world describes us—and that is good news! God tells us we are His children, chosen, beloved, and forgiven. And when we believe in Jesus as our Savior we are also given a new citizenship in heaven! 

The world’s way of defining who we are creates separation and division from one another. It causes us to compare, compete, and think of ourselves more highly than someone else. The identity God gives us is always an invitation to inclusion and unity. When we are part of God’s family, we all get to call heaven our home. His love extends to all of His children, and we are identified not by our accomplishments or success stories, but by the way we love one another. 

In Jesus, we are citizens of heaven. We can rely on the hope we have in Him, that He is our Savior and He will come again one day. Until that day comes, when we can be with God for eternity, Paul’s letter to the Philippians encourages us to stand firm in our faith. Hold tightly to who God says you are, live a life that bears good fruit and brings glory to the kingdom of God, and love others well. 

Prayer: God, thank You for giving me a fresh start when You forgave my sins, and for giving me a new identity, a new home, and a new hope. I pray my life would be a reflection of the love You have shown me so others might one day be able to claim their forever home in heaven with You. Amen.