We Are Kingdom Citizens

 

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;”

Phil. 3:20

I wrote this blog post on December 8, 2016 for another blog site and wanted to share it again as a reminder of who we are as God’s people.  We are Kingdom citizens first! We are citizens of God’s Kingdom! And as citizens, it is important to possess a Kingdom mindset.

As Christians, we are one body. We are no longer foreigners, aliens or strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of  God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Eph. 2:16-20). Our citizenship plays a role in shaping who we are, what we value, what is important to us, and how we live.

So what does it mean to have a Kingdom mindset?  A mindset is: a fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines or decides in advance a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations. – American Heritage Dictionary. Mindset is also a set of beliefs or a way of thinking that determines one’s behavior, outlook and mental attitude. The Kingdom is: the rule of God; the territory governed by God, and the realm in which God’s will, purposes, plans, and desires are fulfilled. 

Taking into consideration these definitions, we can define a Kingdom mindset as: A fixed mental attitude or disposition ruled by God, i.e., governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans and desires, that determines or decides a person’s beliefs or way of thinking, behavior, outlook and responses to and interpretations of situations.

To develop a Kingdom mindset our thinking must be renewed to think like citizens of Heaven. It’s one thing to say that Heaven is our home and another to think, act and respond as though Heaven is our final destination.   “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Eph. 4:23). Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

Romans 14:17-18 says, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.”

We are co-laborers in Christ, carrying out His Kingdom agenda. To accomplish God’s purposes on earth a Heavenly mindset is needed. we need to become God conscious in all that we do. When Jesus said to pray “Thy Kingdom come” and declared that the “Kingdom of God” is within you, He is stating that which is in heaven is also to dwell in men on earth. We are to have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). 

We are on the same team as”co-workers in God’s service, God’s field, God’s building.” The foundation has been laid. God has given each one of us unique gifts.  The work He has given His body to do must be done according to God’s standards (1 Cor. 3:8-11).

2 Corinthians 6:1-2 tells us, “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Early morning on December 8, 2016 during a time of meditation, I heard the word “perfunctory” in my spirit. Perfunctory is defined by Merriam-Webster as “characterized by routine or superficiality.” Sadly, much of Christian worship services today are perfunctory at best. We lack interest or enthusiasm when it comes to spiritual things. We go through the motions, but our hearts are far from Him. Matthew 15:8 says, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.”

As Kingdom citizens, we are not experiencing the fullness of what Jesus Christ paid the price for us to have.  Jesus came that we may have life, and have it to the full  (John 10:10).

In order for us to effectively co-labor with God in carrying out His Kingdom agenda we need to become Kingdom minded; we need to have a fixed mental attitude or disposition ruled by Him, i.e., governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans and desires, that predetermines or decides in advance our responses to and interpretations of life’s situations.

Now is the time to move beyond church programs and activities and become Kingdom focused! As Kingdom citizens we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ standing firm in one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel message without being frightened by anyone who opposes us suffering for the sake of Christ (Phil.1:27-30).  The world needs to witness the light of the glorious gospel emanating from God’s people.

May the grace, joy, and peace of God be yours through Jesus Christ our loving Lord. To Him be glory, now and forever.

Blessings,

Dr. Francine

Note: All Scriptures are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.