I know we have readers from many different countries, but one thing that was in the news for awhile here in America was the topic of citizens and aliens and rights. This got me thinking. You know in the Word the Lord tells us we are aliens here on this earth. We live in this world but we are not of this world. (…) Our citizenship is in Heaven (Phillipians 3:20). All the heroes of faith referred to in Hebrews 11 admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Yet we, even as the body of Christ, are so caught up in our "rights" and what we think we deserve. Jesus openly said that His Kingdom was not of this world and that He had overcome this world. Yet we continue to focus on what we have in this world. Jesus came into this world to save sinners, not to set up camp. Not to park. Not to make Himself "at home". Rather He tells us in John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. It is easy to recognize some of what is worldly. Drunkenness, lying, deceit, lust, greed, pride. Everybody can probably agree that most of those are worldly. Although I must admit I still see a lot of that in the church. Of course it is hidden under different names like "prosperity" and "good self image" , but we’ll save that for another message. What I am really hearing the Lord speak about right now are our so-called rights. We think we have a right to this and a right to that. You know we do a lot of ministry to inmates, and although they are supposed to have some rights they usually don’t. Their rights are subject to their leaders. They give up their rights when they abide by a different set of rules. Are you following me? When we willingly admit we are only passing through this life, that we are not citizens of this world, that we abide by a different set of rules, we give up our rights!!!! Heaven does not offer dual citizenship!!! It is His way or no way!! We no longer have the right to demand what we want, we are at the mercy of our leader who is King Jesus. We have no right to demand comfortable living conditions, perks, benefits, visitation with outside influences, appeals (we have already admitted our guilt=sin) , we cannot demand fair working conditions, short hours, or weekends off, or fancy meals. Everything He chooses to give us is a gift. They are given according to His grace. Not because of our works but because of His. And there are some things He does not give us that we must let go of. Our right to be offended, our right to hold on to hurts and bitterness, our right to revenge, our right to hold a grudge, our right to be right! We don’t get those anymore when we give up our earthly citizenship. Instead we get love, mercy, grace and forgiveness, hope and joy. Hmmmm, yeah those things sustain me. How about you? Is it about you? Or is it about Him? Where is your citizenship?

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