Citizens of Another Kingdom

So, several times in the past few weeks, I've made the following statement to friends or people I was conversing with. The statement impacted all profoundly as none of them had heard it put the way I had put it (but I can't even remember who first said it to me.) It is not my own quote, but it is an eye-opening quote.

"For the person who has Christ as their Savior, Earth is their hell. It is the closest to hell they will ever get. The pain and sufferings here are all we will ever know. Sadly, for the lost soul who will spend eternity in Hell, this Earth, this place of horrible pain, suffering and loss is their Heaven. It is the closest to Heaven they will ever get."

That statement is so true if you really think about it. What a paradox! Praise God he saved my soul because many days I realize I am in exile here. And the following scripture reminds me that my citizenship lies in another kingdom.

Ephesians 2:11-19 (New International Version, ©2011)

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ "Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹²remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household"

Fellow citizens: citizens of Christ's Kingdom. Believers, your citizenship lies in Heaven, and you are truly a foreigner here. It's no wonder you face persecution and strife. It's no wonder the enemy is gunning for you always. It's no wonder we have such strong convictions that typically stray SO FAR from the world's standards. You are not of this world. Be encouraged! As we celebrate Easter this week and next weekend, let's focus on our true citizenship. I heard an amazing sermon about this topic by Barret Jordan from Redeemer PCA Church in Teays Valley WV. That is when I first realized that I was in exile on earth...but what a beautiful thing to realize, for the born-again, you will never come a step closer to Hell. This should cause us to fall to our knees for our lost loved ones.

Happy Easter to all!

Andrea Gayle