I don’t know about you, but there are a lot of things in the Bible that I don’t understand…concepts, phrases, and allusions, to name a few. I have been a believer for decades and have read through the Scriptures many times, but I still don’t comprehend a lot of it.
One of those phrases is in Ephesians 2:6, where it says we are seated with Christ in the heavenly places. I have thought about it, drawn it out, but it still hasn’t really registered with me. I was thinking about it, and one idea I read recently said that we are dual citizens with Christ and that we have all the benefits of being citizens of heaven.
Now that is one thought I could comprehend. Several years ago, my brothers and I thought about becoming dual citizens of another country. Our mother was born there, and we qualified to become dual citizens. It was appealing to us that if we went there for any length of time, we would be able to enjoy the benefits of citizenship. The thought of free health care was especially appealing.
Back to the concept of being citizens of heaven with Christ, I thought about all the benefits available to us. I was going to compose a list for this post, but then the Twenty-third Psalm kept coming to my mind. As I thought about each verse, I could see some of the benefits outlined, so here goes.
1. “The Lord is my shepherd” – Someone in authority who is looking out for my welfare. “I shall not want” – Provision
2. “He makes me to lie down in green pastures” – Rest; “He leads me beside still waters” – Refreshment
3. “He restores my soul” – Emotional Healing; “He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” – Spiritual Guidance
4. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me” – Protection; “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” – Guidance, Direction, and Correction
5. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” – Victory over spiritual and physical forces of darkness. “You anoint my head with oil: – Spiritual Strength and Power; “My cup runs over” Abundant Provision
6. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” – Physical and Spiritual Blessings; “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” – The Blessed Hope of Eternal Life with the Lord.
This is just a short list of some of the benefits of having dual citizenship in heaven. There are many more, and I would encourage you to investigate them for yourself. No country on this Earth can offer you what the Lord himself can offer you should you choose to follow Christ and become a dual citizen of heaven.
