Our Citizenship Is In Heaven

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

As we understand that our citizenship is in heaven, our effort needs to be focused on getting there. The heroes of faith moved forward with that thought in mind.

For he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:10

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth, in search of our heavenly home. One must understand that we cannot be part of this world or participate in the things of this world. The Lord Jesus tells us,

If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. John 15:18, 19

There needs to be a marked difference in ourselves and in our churches. There is a strong movement within many religions to convert their worship styles into something more contemporary. The aim is to attract more members to churches. In reality however, they are becoming a social club rather than a place to preach of the Lord’s prompt return.

We cannot allow the world to enter our churches. We are called to share the message with all, salvation is available to everyone but sin will never be accepted by God.

We see that the prophets of God were never popular. Even Jesus was rejected by his own people and His disciples were not popular either. God's message has rarely been popular. If we compare wordly pleasures to God’s service, the things of the world are apparently more attractive. Therefore, Jesus tells us,

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13, 14

We are the light of the world, called to illuminate a dark world full of sin. And we are that light because we reflect Christ.

You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Unfortunately, many preach that they are acting in the name of the Lord, many are apparently doing His will, but offer strange worship that is unacceptable to God. The Bible does not change and if we understand the holiness that exists in heaven, the angels veil their faces in worship to God, should we not be in communion with God under the same sanctity as the angels? Therefore the Lord says,

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! Matthew 7:21-23

Many choose their churches because that is where they feel good, because they like some aspect of the church. Perhaps they choose their church because it agrees with their ideas.

But the purpose of the church is to bring you to the Lord to save you. The key questions we must ask when choosing a church should be, is this the place that will help me attain salvation? Is this the place that id preparing me to meet Jesus when He returns? Am I here because I feel good or because the Lord has called me out of darkness into light? Is this the narrow door through which I will reach salvation?

JESUS IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!