HEAVENLY CITIZENSHIP
‘Our conversation [or citizenship] is in heaven.’
Php_3:20
If we pondered more deeply the cost of our redemption we should prize more highly the privileges of our citizenship.
I. The privileges of our citizenship are many and varied.
(a) Pardon, cleansing is the first; no unpardoned or uncleansed one is a citizen of that kingdom. It is the blood which cleanses, the blood of the Eternal Son of God.
(b) Victory over self and sin is another; grace to conquer and to subdue evil, to become masters where once we were bond-slaves, to rule by Divine grace that which once tyrannised over us.
(c) Inheritance is another privilege. We are heirs of that bright and boundless inheritance, incorruptible, undefined, and fadeless.
(d) Peace is another privilege. Peace with God and the peace of God, holding, abiding in our souls.
II. What are our responsibilities?
(a) Loyalty. We are called upon to be loyal subjects of our Heavenly King, yielding Him the reverence due unto His Name and obedience to the laws He has promulgated.
(b) Love. We must love, we shall only be loyal in proportion as we love; we shall only love in proportion as we trust. We must love Him Who is ‘Love,’ and Who so loved us as to redeem us at such tremendous cost.
(c) Holiness of life and conduct, showing itself in purity of heart and earnestness of life; the holiness of lives fully yielded and consecrated for life and service.
—Rev. H. Foster Pegg.
Illustration
‘A beautiful apologue will illustrate our meaning. A summer’s day, the glorious sun overhead filling all things with light and gladness; the wide sea looking like a sheet of glass, upon which the ripple caused by a fly’s wing would be observed; the sky revealing its unclouded azure depths save for one tiny fleecy cloud, not larger apparently than a hand’s breadth, floating gracefully and lazily. The sea looked up and said, “They tell me that that cloud was once a part of myself; I should like to get up there.” So the sea turned and lifted herself in huge waves towards the heavens, but all in vain. Presently, baffled, weary, the sea lay still again. Then the sun looked down and said, “Sea, why are you so downcast?” Said the sea, “I have been trying to get up there and failed.” Then the sun said, “Sea, lie still, and I will draw you up here.” So the sea lay still, and presently the whole sky was filled with fleecy clouds, and the sea clapped her hands and said, “I am up there! I am up there!” You see the meaning of this simple apologue. Our citizenship is a lofty privilege and a far-reaching responsibility. The life which pertains to such cannot be attained by our struggles or efforts; but there is a power promised which will enable us to rise to our heavenly citizenship and to live worthily of our high calling, “for our citizenship is in heaven.” ’