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Introduction

In this edition of our Newsletter, the concept of citizenship as it relates to the Kingdom of God is detailed. Citizenship has been defined as the state of being conferred or invested with the rights and privileges of a citizen whereas a citizen, on the other hand, is “the native of a city, or an inhabitant who enjoys the freedom and privileges of the city in which he resides; the freeman of a city, as distinguished from a foreigner, or one not entitled to its franchises” (Webster).

Qualifying for Heavenly Citizenship

Every nation or State has its own requirements to receive its citizenship. It may be by birth or by application or something else Prior to conversion of believers, they remain foreigners in the kingdom of God. This is supported by scriptures which read that “at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph 2:12-13).

Soon after regeneration, believers receive authorization to become children of the Most-High God, not by natural descent but by the will of God the Father (Jn 1:12-13). This sonship of believers is through adoption by Christ Jesus (Rom 8:14-17, Gal 4:5, Eph 1:5). Christians, after having become children of God, receive citizenship in the commonwealth of Heaven, as Paul informs us, that, “Now, therefore, ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).

In the Kingdom of God, the only requirement to become a citizen is grace, through faith in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:8). It needs to be said that to become a citizen of Heaven:

• One does not need to have a permanent job or residential address.
• There is no need to show financial statement or demonstrate any ability to take care of oneself.
• One´s past criminal record (s) is/are not a hindrance to obtaining it.

To be eligible for a citizenship of heaven requires a person to receive the gift of God in faith. It is
said that “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom 10:9-10). Anyone, irrespective of his/her race, creed, religion, political affiliation, gender, among others, who shall sincerely call upon the name of the Lord and Savior Jesus shall be saved (Acts 2:21, Rom 10:13).

It must be reiterated that, unlike that of the world, discerning children must themselves accept the free-gift of God willingly to be qualified to be citizens of Heaven. This tells the importance of training own children in the ways of God (Gen 18:19, Pro 22:6) and leading them to individually accept the Messiah.

Christians as Aliens on Earth

Knowing that Christians are citizens of heaven, they become aliens or strangers on earth. People of faith in the Old Testament (Gen 47:9, 1Ch 29:15, Psa 39:12), not being able to receive the promises they hoped for, but seeing them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth (Heb 11:13). This is emphasized in the writings of the Apostles. Peter advises that “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1Pt 2:11).

The above paragraph tells why believers should not be identified with this temporal world.
Christians are being encouraged not to love the world nor the things in the world because if any person loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him/her (1Jn 2:15). For all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not of the Father, but of the world (1Jn 2:16). Moses knowing this, chose to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin in this world for a season (Heb 11:25).

Jesus emphasized that believers are foreigners in the world when He said: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (Jn 15:19). In His prayer for the church, Jesus mentioned that He has given the disciples the word of God and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as He is not of the world (Jn 17:14, 16).

Conclusion

Christians, though live in the world, are citizens of Heaven. They, therefore, remain immigrants or aliens in this world. That is why the world hates them. Believers need not love this world since everything in it is passing away, and loving the world would rob them of their heavenly citizenship.

Prayer: Lord God Almighty, one thing we ask of you is to help us to always remember that this world is not our home so that we shall be mindful to live for you always. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN!

Introduction

The Lord God is very much aware of the challenges that confront His children. Though He has His own time and plans to redeem them from those challenges, they need to be conversant with His will about those challenges. In every situation, God gives clear instructions about how it ought to be handled.

The mind as the battle field

In all the battles that the Israelites fought from Egypt to the promised land, the Lord had to deal with the minds of His people to prepare them psychologically for victory. By implication, men fight first in the mind before the real battle begins. The mind, therefore, must be renewed (Rom 12:1-2), to condition it for the anticipated victory.

Again, believers mostly focus on their challenges and the strength of the enemy instead of focusing on the greatness of their God. It is not advisable to concentrate on what the enemy could do and be scared or affrighted, for the LORD thy God is with you as a mighty and terrible God (Deut 7:21).

Also, what the Lord God has done for you in the past should serve as a remembrancer to you that you shall surely be delivered from the current or impending challenges. The Israelites were encouraged to lean on what the Lord God did for them while they were in Egypt. It is written “That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage; And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land” (Jdg 6:8-9). If the Lord has done it before, then be certain that He is working on your circumstances to bring you the expected victory in due course. Remember that if the Lord gave you Jesus Christ, His only beloved Son, for your salvation, then He is more than willing to help you out of your deplorable circumstances.

Appropriating future promises by faith is another sure way of focusing on the greatness of God. Moses assured the old church that “So shall the LORD your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.” Understand that the battle is the Lord´s (1Sa 17:47), so be assured that complete victory is coming your way.

Confronting the challenge

Though God has promised Victory for His children, He wants them to confront their enemies strategically to get the victory (Deut 7:23). If you are your own enemy, confront yourself and challenge yourself to rise and forge on. God´s strategy for Israel was to fight their enemies little by little because His children could not fight or destroy all of them at once (Deut 7:22-23). Our struggles in life would not end suddenly, but the Lord God would allow that which we can bear to confront us in piece meal so that the challenges do not become numerous and scary to us (read 1Co 10:13).

In confronting life challenges remember that attitudes play an important role in determining success over victory over the enemies. Moses encourages his people not to be negatively minded towards the promises of God and not to be fearful (Deut 7:17). He tells the people that “God will deliver their enemies over to them, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed” (Deut7:23). With the right attitude, the Lord God would bring the spirit of defeat upon your enemies if you remove all potential barriers to your progress (Deut 7:25-26).

Finally, when you are dumbfounded and do not know what to do in difficult times, ask God of wisdom and it would be granted you (Jas 1: 5). God´s guidance must be sought where wisdom is not readily available to you.

Conclusion

The man should always be prepared for life challenges but it ought to be conditioned for victory through Christ Jesus. Challenges must be confronted according to the wisdom and the leadings of God, and they need to tackled strategically as they come.

Prayer: May the Lord God inflict your enemies with the spirit of discouragement and bring you victory over all your challenges in life. In Jesus´ name. AMEN!