Lent Day 14–No Dual Citizenship

Do you see yourself as a citizen of a kingdom?  That’s what the Bible says you are.  You either belong to the kingdom of this earth or you are a citizen of the kingdom of heaven.

Unlike the United States where you can be a citizen of two countries at the same time and have dual citizenship, heaven doesn’t work that way.  While babies born in foreign countries often can have the citizenship of their parents in addition to the place where they were born, heaven is an all or nothing deal: You’re either born into the kingdom of heaven or you’re stuck here on earth. 

The passport you carry shows where you’re from and where you’re going.  This is the basic message of today’s Scripture passage, Philippians 3:17-21. 

 The passport is issued by your governing agency: the world or God.  Using this analogy, a Christian’s “passport” is stamped throughout according to our visits and that is why Christians are encouraged to live according to heaven’s patterns.  This is the faith of our fathers and mothers—a pattern set before us by those in our history, dating back to Jesus Christ.  And while He lived the pattern perfectly, this pattern actually dates back even farther:  to God’s calling the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt.  Being a God-honoring person didn’t originate with Christ even if He perfected it.

A passport merely records proof of our identity.  Our life’s deeds become our reputation, not who we are.  A passport will reflect our country of origin and citizenship.  We will be living in ways reflecting which place we call home.

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.   (Matthew 7:16-20)

As we continue in this season of Lent, pause to ask yourself:

Do the stamps in your passport of life affirm your identity?  Are you a citizen of earth or a citizen of heaven by faith in Jesus Christ?