We are dual citizens.
As followers of Jesus, the Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:20 that we are considered citizens of Heaven. Since we are still living on the earth, we are also citizens of the Kingdom of this World, but our new homeland and allegiance belong first to our King, who is seated in Heaven.
It can be a great challenge for us to learn how to live between two Kingdoms that are in great conflict. We are tempted to separate from the world altogether and protect ourselves instead of remaining present in the world to be the “light of the world” that Jesus tells us to be. We are also tempted to assimilate and blend into the world, losing our distinctiveness as Jesus followers and forfeiting our true identity as sons and daughters of the King.
We need to live our lives realizing that the Bible declares that positionally, we are already seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.
As we wrestle to walk in our true identity and make a difference in this world, recalling what Paul says about where we have been seated with Jesus can help us remain positioned to fulfill our calling as citizens of heaven.
"And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." Ephesians 2:6 (NIV)
- Jesus is seated at the right-hand side of the Father in heaven (Hebrews 12:2) and Ephesians 2 tells us that we are seated at the right hand of Jesus.
- The right-hand side was the place of most authority, privilege and honor. It is the position that the disciples argued over in their selfish ambition (Mark 9).
- The man on the right side in a circle of religious leaders of Jesus’ day (called the Sanhedrin), would be the one who would declare a ruling declaring someone innocent… whereas, if the man on the left side spoke, it would be a ruling of the council that you were guilty and condemned to punishment. This position is a place of forgiveness, where we don’t have to strive to work to earn forgiveness from God because it has already been granted to us.
- This position is a place of rest and not trying to earn anything from God. It is not a place of begging; it is a position that a loved son or daughter would occupy.
Seven shifts in our perspective when we can begin to accept the reality that we are already “seated with Christ in Heaven.”
- You pray with the resources of Heaven available
You might imagine praying from the throne room of Heaven, and behind you there is every gift imaginable waiting in stacks and stacks, like a great warehouse of money, positions, healings, courage and revelation. When you realize that providing what we need is not a problem for God, we pray with increased faith, asking Jesus to give the perfect gifts in the perfect timing.
- Your view of time lengthens = valuing eternal things
We live for eternity instead of keeping our eyes only on today. It is true that we have needs and trials most every day that Jesus cares about. While I take those things to Jesus, I want to keep one eye on eternity. The only things that are going to last past this life are relationships (both with God and with others). When we pray and focus on relationships, we have an eternal mindset. I want to sow into things that will last forever.
- You trust God’s ability to provide more
Every time I see God meet a need, it’s like I watch what’s needed fly off the heavenly shelf and get delivered by the Holy Spirit. When you keep track of how God comes through and celebrate each testimony of his faithfulness, your trust in God grows. Testimonies are the soil that faith sprouts and grows in… telling stories that give God credit and attention for how he comes through will make everyone in your life grow in their trusting God.
- You are positioned to forgive others
If I imagine myself on a great recliner next to Jesus, I’m not worried about holding on to a grudge. As one who has been forgiven so greatly by God, I am motivated to let go of wounds and hurts I have suffered from others (Col. 3:13). As I am humbled by Jesus’ sacrifice to pay for my sin, the mercy of God grows in me to give away to others. There is no holding on to offenses in Heaven, therefore I want to live out of the culture of Heaven in this way.
- You don’t “blame” others, you approach the throne
The kingdom of this world is all about blaming others and trying escape having to take responsibility. I am convinced that there is no whining and complaining in Heaven. There is no victim-thinking where you feel sorry for yourself and throw a pity party. If you are working from a “seated in Heaven” mindset, you simply turn your head to the left (to where Jesus is sitting), and you begin to ask Him for everything you need. Jesus is not too busy to hear your prayers, or apathetic in his response. He cares deeply and wants to take your burdens and anxiety, and turn your wounds into scars that tell a story of our redeeming God.
- You find freedom from burdens that are not yours
I’m more and more convinced that we try to do God’s job too often, and that is why we are stressed and feel like we don’t measure up. Jesus can do His job as Savior of the world really well. Are you willing to let go of responsibility for people in your life and allow Jesus to do his job? So many times, we try to “fix things” or worse yet, “fix people” but we're not called to that ministry or task. Matthew 11:28-30 tells us that Jesus wants us to wear his “light yoke” and receive rest in our souls. A light yoke still means that we partner with “plowing ground” with Jesus. Since we are wearing a yoke, we are learning how to walk with Jesus, but His commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). If you are willing to surrender to Jesus, he will give you rest even in your work for Him.
- You experience a rise of Hope and optimism
When you realize that you are seated with Christ, you don’t worry about your future. So many people in our culture are worried about what will happen tomorrow, but Jesus asks us if worrying can even add a single day onto your life (Matthew 6:27). When you picture your future with Jesus seated right next to you (instead of you standing there alone), there is a hope that is an anchor for our soul (Heb. 6:19).
Your hope will not be found in those who win the upcoming election, in your employer or even in your family.
People will always let you down, but Jesus is constant and tells us that He is the same, today, yesterday and tomorrow (Heb. 13:8). If you begin to live from a place of being “seated with Christ in the heavenly realms,” it will change everything about how you live this life on earth.
May your Kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven!
If you missed last Sunday's message, "The Kingdom" Week 3: Citizens of Heaven, click here to view the video and listen to the podcast.
Don’t miss next Sunday when we take this concept of citizenship one step further in seeing that we are also called ambassadors of Jesus Christ while we are on this earth.
Sunday Morning Service options:
- 9am: In-person OUTDOOR service on the Island. Please bring your own lawn chair.
- 11:00am: Livestream on our Neighborhood Church of Chico Facebook page and YouTube channel.
