Intro: Are Christians Travelers or Residents? Where are they from? What does this imply?
Now, Christians should consider themselves as foreigners on earth. So, we are answering the questions through the 6 realities that Christians operate under. So, we must first define “Christians” By Christians, we mean those who actively believe Jesus and have been forgiven of their sins by being baptized into his death
The FIRST reality, we were made citizens of heaven by being purchased, redeemed. God acquired us back from Satan. And we were very expensive. We are not able to pay the cost. We have been bought by the blood of Jesus. 1 Cor 6.20.
The SECOND reality, this world is temporary. Whatever you see, hear, taste, smell, or touch is temporary. But the unseen things of heaven, our home, are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 says “while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are NOT seen; FOR THE THINGS WHICH ARE SEEN ARE TEMPORAL, but the things which are NOT SEEN ARE ETERNAL. Since we want things that last, why fixate on earthly “stuff” For Christians, the things of this world are of little importance.
The THIRD reality is what I have in heaven, my home, is RESERVED for me. 1 Peter 1:34 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) to obtain an INHERITANCE WHICH IS IMPERISHABLE AND UNDEFILED AND WILL NOT FADE AWAY, RESERVED IN HEAVEN FOR YOU, the inheritance in heaven that is reserved is far better than anything on earth. And it lasts.
The FOURTH reality is Christians consider themselves as pilgrims or travelers. The writer of the book of Hebrews, when he was reviewing Faith’s Hall of Fame said, Hebrews 11:13-16 “All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and HAVING CONFESSED THAT THEY WERE STRANGERS AND EXILES ON THE EARTH. (14) For those who say such things THEY ARE SEEKING A COUNTRY OF THEIR OWN. (15) And indeed, if make it clear that they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, (speaking of their former earthly residence) they would have had opportunity to return. (16) But as it is, A BETTER COUNTRY, THAT IS, A HEAVENLY ONE THEY DESIRE. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
The FIFTH reality is since God is my Father, and Jesus is my Lord and master (he did buy me), I must be part of God’s family. Ephesians 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are CITIZENS WITH THE SAINTS, AND ARE OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD, fellow Christians listen to our FATHER, THE GOVERNING AUTHORITY from heaven.
The SIXTH reality is since heaven is my home, and I am governed by heaven’s regulations, I have BIG benefits. As citizens of heaven, Christians are represented by Jesus before God if they accidentally sin. 1 John 2:1 As citizens of heaven, Christians can go before the King anytime we want through prayer. Heb. 4.16 As citizens of heaven, Christians spend a few hours daily working on earth, but then we concentrate on qualifying others to go back home with us. We want to go to OUR TRUE HOME.
These 6 realities were found as a result of reading Philippians 3:20 “FOR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
-Tim Estes, via Timeless Talks (http://timelesstalks.net)