40 Days in Christ: Knowing and Living Your Transformed Identity in ChristSample

Capitalizing On Your Heavenly Citizenship

Imagine living in a foreign land, but your heart and loyalty remain with your true homeland. Philippians 3:20 paints a picture of believers as expatriates with citizenship in heaven. It’s like being part of an earthly embassy, representing a kingdom beyond the skies. In this analogy, your anticipation of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is akin to eagerly awaiting the return of your beloved monarch, who will bring the fullness of your heavenly citizenship to fruition.

While physically residing on earth, your identity and allegiance are firmly rooted in the celestial realm, and you eagerly await the glorious return of your King. Don’t get so used to your earthly citizenship that you forget your heavenly home and the superior privileges of being one of its citizens.

As a heavenly citizen, your King is responsible for your care, protection, and evacuation if needed. You are privileged to live your country’s values here on earth, enjoy the protections and provisions of your government, spread the good news about your homeland, and serve its interests. So, capitalize on your heavenly citizenship as you traverse this foreign world and live patriotically to your true celestial country.

Reflection:

Philippians 3:20 emphasizes the heavenly citizenship of believers, signifying their identity as citizens of a kingdom beyond this world. Reflect on what it means to have your citizenship in heaven and the hope of Christ’s return.

Application:

Consider how being a citizen of heaven influences your perspective on earthly matters. How does the anticipation of Christ’s return shape your priorities and values? How will you live and spread the values of your homeland here on earth? How will you take advantage of the privileges and rights of your citizenship? Take a moment to thank God for the heavenly citizenship granted through Christ.

Declaration:

“I declare that my citizenship is in heaven. As a citizen of God’s kingdom, I await the return of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I live with the values of my homeland and pursue its interests. I live with the hope and assurance of the heavenly citizenship bestowed upon me.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for making me a citizen of heaven. I embrace the hope and assurance that come with this heavenly citizenship. Help me live with the per- spective of a citizen of Your kingdom, eagerly awaiting the return of my Savior. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.