Are you a citizen of heaven?

Heaven is NOT temporary to eternity, heaven is eternity. So very few things are not TEMPORARY to eternity in this life. It is all too easy to attach ourselves to things temporary to eternity and Satan will exploit this in us at any given opportunity trying to crush our hope, our faith in our most loving, merciful, grace giving Savior.


A sojourner is a person who resides temporarily in a place. (Dict. Def.)


1Pe_1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear


Heb 11:16  But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 


Mat_6:20  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal


Heavenward.


Excerpt- 'When a believer’s spirit is united to the Lord’s and they become one spirit, he commences to live in the world as a sojourner, experiencing the life of a heavenly citizen. '


Do we live like we are citizens of heaven?


You wouldn't expect someone in what we call 'an executive' position to act like a spoiled child, throwing tantrums, pouting, etc.  I know, some of you are saying the so-called executives often act like that and get away with it because of their position and you may be right. However, any executive of a business etc that acted that way all the time in meetings with others, at dinner parties, and such would find it very hard to keep their position (assuming they aren't the boss and have their own money to work with.) What about your average every day workers in malls, restaurants, grocery stores, doctor offices, etc, if you had to deal with a waiter that pouted and threw a fit when you placed your order would you expect that person to keep their job very long? No.  The point I'm so badly trying to make here is that we have expectations from people, and that's people in general and people in their work professions. If you told me you were a member of the clergy and then proceeded to haul off and hit me, clearly I would not believe you were a true member of a profession that isn't supposed to be of a violent nature.  As a citizen of heaven a person is supposed to be very clearly fighting in the spiritual warfare and as such, they may sin but they will be asking for forgiveness for that sin. If they sin against others they will go to them and ask forgiveness. If someone finds out you're a Christ follower and says- 'Wow, I never would have guessed.' You clearly have some rethinking to do about your actions in the presence of that person.


Are you merely a sojourner here on earth, a pilgrim who is searching for the heavenly home that awaits you, or are you planted firmly here on earth with all you truly love of earth?


How REAL is our heavenly home to us?


What treasures do you have in your heavenly home?


What valuables- things you care about and are of the greatest worth in the eyes of our Lord, do you have stored in your heavenly house?


Do you live in the RAPTURED SPIRIT?


Definition of rapture
1. 1:  an expression or manifestation of ecstasy or passion
2. 2a :  a state or experience of being carried away by overwhelming emotionb :  a mystical experience in which the spirit is exalted to a knowledge of divine things


From <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapture>



Truly, if I handed you the keys to a million dollar house and told you that house was yours free and clear you'd most likely be ecstatic. You'd be overwhelmed by emotion. The feeling you'd have could probably be classified as rapturous. You have this expensive, brand new, amazing new home just the thought of such a thing has us imagining our reaction and it wouldn't be mundane. 


When we have the Holy Spirit, when our spirit is one with the Holy Spirit, one with our Savior, one with God the Father and the REALITY of our promised new heavenly home worth more than any earthly treasure no matter that amount- trillion, zillion whatever, is made real to us how can there be anything other than SPIRITUAL rapture? A Spiritual state of being that is truly otherworldly in experience.


A Spirit Rapture REALITY- set in FACT and not caught up in a soul-self emotional upheaval. Is this a real thing? Truly a real - reality?


'Living the life of a heavenly citizen.' 


We are heavenly citizens if we are Christ's, no wonder He told us to put our treasures there.


No wonder we are to 'think on these things' - Php_4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


Heaven is true.
Heaven as our home to be is honest.
Heaven by description is lovely and of very good report.


Joh_14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Joh_14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.


A place prepared for us.  Just being told this glorious truth by our Savior should have our thoughts heavenward.