Citizens of Heaven

For the past few months, the home fellowship that my family and I attend has been studying the book of Ephesians. A couple of weeks ago, as we worked our way through Chapter 2, Verse 19 really jumped out at me, and one word in particular:

"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household..." (Eph. 2:19 NIV emphasis mine).

Throughout the latter part of Chapter 2, Paul talks a lot about aliens, foreigners, and citizens. At first, I wondered why he chose these particular examples, when he could have used many others? There is, in fact, quite a bit of symbolism behind his choice:

1. To those living in the Roman Empire, citizenship was a big deal. To be a Roman Citizen was to receive all of the benefits of living in the Empire. You were allowed to vote, to stand for office, and to appeal to the courts. You also had the right to appeal to be tried in Rome, and even if you were sentenced to death, you could not be crucified (hence the reason that Paul was beheaded and Peter was crucified). As Christians, we can now receive all of the benefits of being a citizen of heaven. The full blessings of heaven have been opened to us, who were once "foreigners" to God.


2. Citizenship was passed on from father to children. It's another example of how the blessings in our lives come because we are the children of God.


3. Roman citizenship could be bought, but at a very high price (see Acts 22:28). Heavenly citizenship comes with a price as well; one that it is impossible for us to pay. We have only received our citizenship because Christ paid the ultimate price for it.


4. Roman citizens were immediately distinguishable from non-citizens. It only took one look to know whether or not someone was a citizen. For example, only citizens could wear a toga. As Christians, we should also be immediately distinguishable from non-Christians. Our dress, our behaviour, our lives should reflect our status as children of God.


5. Citizenship gives us benefits, yes, but it also requires something of us. We are expected to follow the law and to work for the benefit of our fellow citizens. There is no difference with our spiritual citizenship. We must follow God's commandments and work to edify fellow believers.

In Philippians 3:20, Paul again tells us that "Our citizenship is in heaven." Our blessings, our future, and our very identities all flow from there. How amazing that so many spiritual truths can be found all because Paul used a certain word.