Dual Citizenship

Heaven Series #17

“Dual Citizenship”

It goes without saying that we are all citizens of some country here, whether it be by birth in that country or by acquiring it through legal process.  But what does need to be said and clearly understood is that as professed Christians and members of the body of Christ, we have been granted another citizenship, a heavenly one.  

Paul states it clearly in his letter to the Philippians believers, “But our CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Phi. 3:20)

So, in essence, we are citizens of two distinct countries… one here on earth… and the other “a heavenly one” Heb. 11:16.  We indeed hold a dual citizenship… which brings us to the next question.  Which of the two is our “primary” citizenship?

According to the scriptures, it is pretty clear which one we are expected to hold in the highest esteem; however, our lives will prove out which one is actually pre-eminent. Just at face value, we can see that one is temporal and the other is eternal, and this may answer the question for us. 

But lest we miss the mark entirely by viewing heaven only as the place we will someday travel to after death, we need to consider that the scriptures teach us that we are currently “seated with Christ in Heavenly places”.  Paul is speaking here not in the future tense, but in the present tense.  We are to understand at least, in some spiritual but very real fashion, that we are in fact already there… and are to now begin seeing all things from a heavenly vantagepoint. 

These two worlds are both present realities and are intimately connected in our daily lives, not to mention the fact that what we do in this life has a significant and eternal impact on our next life in heaven. 

Jesus told us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Doesn’t it make sense that we should do all we can to learn how things are done in heaven so we can emulate those things here? 

It seems according to Jesus and Paul, that the more a person retains a heavenly mindset, the more effective and blessed they will be in this life… and the more eternal blessings they will enjoy in the future. Let’s remind ourselves often that we have two homes… in two countries… and only one of them will last.

Blessings, Mike