"Fellow citizens with the saints."
Ephesians 2:19
Ephesians 2:19
What
is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under
heaven's government.
Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer is, "Thy
will be done on earth as it is in heaven." The proclamations issued from
the throne of glory are freely received by us: the decrees of the Great King we
cheerfully obey. Then as citizens of the New Jerusalem, we
share heaven's honors.
The
glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we are already sons
of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already we wear the spotless
robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints
for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of
immortality for our reward. We share the honors of citizenship, for we have
come to the general assembly and Church of the firstborn whose names are
written in heaven.
As
citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven. Ours are its gates of pearl and walls
of chrysolite; ours the azure light of the city that needs no candle nor light
of the sun; ours the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of
fruits which grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is naught in
heaven that belonged not to us. "Things present, or things to come,"
all are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we
enjoy
its delights. Do they
there rejoice over sinners that repent prodigals that have returned; so do we! Do they chant the glories of triumphant grace;
we do the same! Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? Such honors as we
have we cast there too. Are they charmed with His smile?
It
is no less sweeter to us who dwell below. Do they look forward, waiting for His
second advent? We also look and long for His appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens
of heaven, let our walk
and actions be consistent with our high dignity.
God
bless,
David
L. Wynn
Pauline
B. Grant CME Church
“This
is the Potter’s House”
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