Spurgeon: July AM
* 07/10/AM
"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 Jesu's 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 Jesu's 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.