Empowerment = Live at the Capacity of Heaven
This world is not your true home; you’re from another time and place.
We simultaneously live in “two worlds,” the kingdom of this earth and the Kingdom of God. One is always seen; the other often takes a bit of focus to see. Yet, as we study more you’ll notice that the Kingdom of God, though it may appear at first glance to be hidden, is certainly always visible as well. (And, recall, repentance involves seeing things differently— perhaps in a way we’ve never seen life before.)
The Bible declares you are primarily a citizen of Heaven! For instance—
- “ For our citizenship is in heaven…” (Philippians 3:20 NKJV).
- “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland” (Hebrews 11:13-14 NKJV).
Here and there at the same time
Remember, though, you’re also a citizen of earth— here to bless the people among whom you live. Citizenship of the Kingdom and citizenship of the earth aren’t at odds (as many Christians suppose).
We see this clearly in the Old Testament. The prophet Jeremiah found himself in exile, living in a land that didn’t worship the One True God. Taken in captivity from Israel, he found himself living in perhaps the most pagan nation of his time.
You might think God would remove him from a world with such different values than his own, yet God had a plan for him while he was there (Jeremiah 29:5-7 NKJV):
Build houses and dwell in them; plant gardens and eat their fruit. Take wives and beget sons and daughters; and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, so that they may bear sons and daughters—that you may be increased there, and not diminished.
And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.
This is the context of the verse Jeremiah 29:11 (“I know the plans I have for you…”). Followers of God were expected to live their sacred values instead of the values of the world around them. God encourages them to increase in number, and bless others.
Here, to bless…
We also see this perspective in the New Testament.
Jesus prayed before facing the Cross (John 17:15-18 NKJV):
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
Notice the balance: we’re destined to be in the world, yet we’re not of the world. We’re different in order to bless those who are here.
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