Morning, July 10
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Ephesians 2:19
"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.