Friend, You Are A Citizen Of Heaven

It’s going to be a glorious future.

Can you envision the sights, the sounds, the magnificence of seeing Jesus face to face?? Mercy Me’s song, I Can Only Imagine, comes to mind (watch video below). I can’t begin to imagine.

Sure, there are books written and movies made about heaven, and we might have ideas conjured up already in these minds of ours of what it’ll be like, but really… we can’t begin to fathom the glory. The breathtaking beauty. The fall-on-our-knees majesty.

The unknown of it all can be a bit unnerving for some. Take my son, for example. When he was younger, he was scared of heaven. He feared leaving this earth and spending eternity there. We’d talk at great length of what God’s Word says about heaven, and how we’ll finally be “at home.” Even though he could never quite explain why he was so fearful, we prayed for him to trust God it would be the most wonderful place. Even better than Disney World. Better than anything on this earth. And Grandpa and Grandma would be there, just waiting for him with a hug.

But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart All the things God prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9 Voice

He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:4 NLT

I continued to share the truths I learned about heaven. Yet, I could quote scripture until the cows came home, but the unknown would continue to bother my son until he allowed God to settle this in his heart.

I’m thankful that’s happened.

And one important truth I continued to set in front of him was because we’ve put our belief and trust in Jesus, our eternal life has already begun. We are living it now. No, we haven’t yet arrived in our heavenly home, but the moment we accepted Jesus was the moment eternity was placed in our souls.

By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. Romans 5:1-2 MSG

That’s exciting stuff!

You are a citizen of heaven.

Even now. With Jesus, your place in your heavenly home is sure, solid, immovable.

But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him. Philippians 3:20-21 MSG

You and I don’t have to wait until Jesus returns to live out our future. We are called to live it out now.

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Philippians 1:27a NLT

Keeping our eyes focused on the future, yet helping others along our path.

Setting our sights on our heavenly home, while showing others the way to get there.

Serving God and living in the ways He’s called us, yet being others-focused, as well.

Continuing to love God and love others. Every moment of every day.

What a way of life… living as a citizen of heaven now.

Our glorious future has already begun!

Enjoy I Can Only Imagine by Mercy Me:

Bless you, friend!

Julie

 

It’s Day 30 of 31 Days #CelebratingWhoYouAre. I realize I shared more scripture above than I normally do, but I get excited when I think about eternity. Especially the truth seeing Jesus face to face. If all this is too confusing and unnerving to you, I can understand. If you have questions, please send me a message here. (Linking this post with Susan Mead.)