Citizenship carries both rights and responsibilities. Whenever anyone turns away from sin and puts his trust in Christ for righteousness certain rights and privileges follow. Ephesians 2:5-6 (AMPC) speaks thus—
Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Being part of the heavenly realm comes with the responsibilities too as declared in Colossians 3:1-3 (AMPC)—If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
Philippians 3:18-20 (AMPC) expands this further with precision—For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One). They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery (perdition); their god is their stomach (their appetites, their sensuality) and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party. But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior
—expanding with such clarity those who refuse the responsibility of citizenship, as the Passion Translation puts verses 17-20—
My beloved friends, imitate my walk with God and follow all those who walk according to the way of life we modeled before you. For there are many who live by different standards. As I’ve warned you many times (I weep as I write these words), they are enemies of the cross of the Anointed One and doom awaits them. Their god has possessed them and made them mute. Their boast is in their shameful lifestyles and their minds are in the dirt. But we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself.
Why claim you are a citizen when your walk actually shows you to be an enemy? No, Apostle Paul was neither dramatic nor rude; he simply expanded on the parable in Luke 19:12-14 which was spoken to the unbelieving Israel and her leadership. The message conveyed remains true for the believer whose heart is set upon the world and walks as the world dictates. So dearly beloved. are you a citizen of this heavenly realm? Selah.
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