Live as a citizen of heaven.

To live as a citizen of heaven is to be united by the Holy Spirit with one purpose – the same purpose God Himself has, and has entrusted to you, the “Good News about Christ”. This must be one of the most important things to you? When it is, everything else falls into perspective, and you start to live “life to the fullest”. You must be united (and empowered by the Holy Spirit) in the purpose of spreading the “Good News”, you must be confrontational about it. BUT, your confrontation is NOT with people your confrontation is “against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Eph 6:12).

To “live as citizens of heaven”, conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Good News” – that you daily rise up and use the gifts and resources God has given you in unity, “fighting together with other Believers for the faith”. “Don’t be intimidated in any way…” Don’t let anything (including your enemies) get in the way of your purpose. It doesn’t matter what else you might face, even if your enemies make progress against you and you end up suffering, Scripture says it is “a privilege to suffer for Christ”.

Most of the world really does not have a clue in this time period and in this culture To Suffer for Jesus. Some have had to suffer because they took a public and noticeable stance that Jesus is their Lord and by standing for what they believed in created some suffering. But most cannot really relate. And the lack of experience creates a fear of suffering which then keeps them from engaging at all. So Stand Firm and start with engagement, and IF you end up facing some opposition and get feeling intimidated – if you see yourself starting to get “spooked”, then come back and explore Scripture further, and get back in the Race again.

You’re in the Battle of Battles, which you are called to fight. And in this Battle there are a lot of prisoners that need to be rescued, a lot people trapped in darkness, the weapons used are lies that they aren’t valuable, they aren’t loveable, they aren’t significant, they only exist to consume temporary pleasures.  Jesus came to set the prisoner free, Jesus came as the light of the world for those walking in darkness; Jesus is our weapon that tears down lies and points people to a truth that will set them free. Your part – “standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith… Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies.” This is what it means to “live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourself in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”