Citizens of the Kingdom

Spurgeon once ask the question, “What is meant by our being citizens in heaven?” He stated:

"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 honors. 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 saints for our companions, Christ for our Brother, God for our Father, and a crown of immortality for our reward. We share the honors 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 nothing in heaven that belong 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? so do we. 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."

~Pastor Daniel R. Grandberry

*Taken from "Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotional" via http://new.studylight.org/

By all means "Escape"

Topic: By all means "Escape"....Having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
2 Peter 1:4


Vanish for ever all thoughts of indulging the flesh if you would live in the power of your risen Lord. It is ill to believe that a person who is alive in Christ should dwell in the corruption of sin. The Word of God says "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" said the angel to Magdalene. Should the living dwell in the sepulchre? Should divine life be immured in the carnel house of fleshly lust? How can we partake of the cup of the Lord and yet drink the cup of Belial? Surely for believers are free from lusts and sins we are delivered:



Have you also escaped from the more secret and delusive lime-twigs of the Satanic power...Have you come forth from the lust of pride? Have you escaped from slothfulness? Have you clean escaped from carnal security? Are you seeking day by day to live above worldliness, the pride of life, and the ensnaring vice of the enemy? Remember, it is for this that you have been enriched with the treasures of God. If you be indeed the chosen of God, and beloved by Him, do not allow the lavishness of grace to be wasted. Follow after holiness; it is the Christian's crown and glory.



Remember, you are God's chosen.... reign over your lusts. You are God's chosen: do not associate with Belial (the world). Heaven is your portion: live like a heavenly preist, so shall you prove that you have true faith in Jesus; for there cannot be faith in the heart unless there be holiness in the life.

"Lord, I desire to live as one
Who bears a blood-bought name,
As one who fears but grieving Thee,
And knows no other shame."