Morning, July 10
Go To Evening Reading
“Fellow citizens with the saints.”
Ephesians 2:19
What is meant by our being citizens in heaven? It means that we are under heaven’s government . Christ the king of heaven reigns in our hearts; our daily prayer
is, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” The proclamations issued from the throne of glory are freely received
by us: the decrees of the Great King we cheerfully obey. Then as citizens
of the New Jerusalem, we share heaven’s honours . The glory which belongs to beatified saints belongs to us, for we
are already sons of God, already princes of the blood imperial; already
we wear the spotless robe of Jesus’ righteousness; already we have angels for our servitors, saints for
our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a
crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honours of citizenship,
for we have come to the general assembly and Church of the first-born
whose names are written in heaven. As citizens, we have common rights to all the property of heaven . Ours are its gates of pearl and walls of chrysolite; ours the azure
light of the city that needs no candle nor light of the sun; ours
the river of the water of life, and the twelve manner of fruits which
grow on the trees planted on the banks thereof; there is nought in
heaven that belongeth not to us. “Things present, or things to come,” all are ours. Also as citizens of heaven we enjoy its delights . Do they there rejoice over sinners that repent—prodigals that have returned? So do we. Do they chant the glories
of triumphant grace? We do the same. Do they cast their crowns at
Jesus’ feet? Such honours as we have we cast there too. Are they charmed
with his smile? It is not less sweet to us who dwell below. Do they
look forward, waiting for his second advent? We also look and long
for his appearing. If, then, we are thus citizens of heaven , let our walk and actions be consistent with our high dignity.