In Christ: Know It, Live It - 4 (Dual-Citizen Saints)

Paul's very purposeful greeting in the Ephesian letter yields some surprising riches for understanding and application. He is an apostle...he has the God-given authority to speak Christ's message for Christ. We are in the long line of authorized messengers for Christ, as well. Let us speak HIS message, the gospel of life, with authority and not apology.

We are SAINTS, holy ones set apart to belong to God in Christ. God calling us and considering us saints is rooted in Christ and is a statement of our STANDING before God. We are FULLY and COMPLETELY SAINTS before God in standing who are BECOMING SAINTLY in our character and daily WALK.

As we look further into this inspired greeting, note also:

• Paul addresses these as the "saints who are IN EPHESUS..." 1:1. That is, they live somewhere. They have been given saint status by God in Christ, and that status is a statement of their citizenship in HEAVEN. They are now first and foremost GOD's PEOPLE (see Philippians 3:20). But...they are not in heaven yet. For now they live in Ephesus. I live in St Cloud, MN. I am a citizen of the U.S., of Minnesota, and of my city. I have responsibilities and rights as a citizen. Ephesian citizens had rights as citizens of the Roman Empire. They had a right to trial. They could vote. They could make legal contracts...etc. As a U.S. citizen I also have a right to trial when accused of any crime. I can vote in our local, state, and national elections. On the other hand I have the responsibility to pay taxes and to obey the law. I am a citizen of HEAVEN and of EARTH. How do I live out this dual-citizenship? Here are a few thoughts:

-My HEAVENLY citizenship is to control and give direction to my EARTHLY citizenship. See Philippians 3:20. My heavenly mindedness is to cause me to increasingly live the life of heaven on earth. Citizens of Heaven will not withdraw from life in this world. They will wade into the here and now. They will show the character of Heaven's citizen: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. as they interact with neighbors, vote, work at their job, and buy groceries. They will literally flavor earth with the scent of heaven.

-My EARTHLY citizenship should always be lived with an eye on heaven. Again, see Philippians 3:20. We live immersed into life here but we do it with one eye on the sky, so to speak. We live waiting...for our King...who will transform us into full, forever citizens of the new heaven and new earth.

-Living as a citizen of HEAVEN here on EARTH will yield REWARDS for eternity that cannot be lost in a downturn of the market. Nothing done because we are God's people will be without reward. Paul writes so clearly and helpfully in another place,

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." 2 Corinthians 5:10

If you have trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, you are a citizen of Heaven and you are a citizen of earth. I am a SAINT in Saint Cloud, MN. I don't always SEE clearly how to live out this dual-citizenship. But I am helped by realizing that Jesus my King is ultimate Ruler (Jesus Rules!) and that His rule extends to every nook and cranny of earth. If I walk in submission and obedience to Him, I will be ok. I will flavor earth with the foreign but life-giving scent of Heaven, and I will be a model citizen in the original and true intent of the word.