Reflections
But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city. (Heb. 11:16)
Jesus said, “You are from beneath; I am from above: you are of this world; I am not of this world.” (John 8:23) But when Christ comes to dwell in us, we are joined to Him in the Spirit. Thus, The presence of Jesus Christ in us – through the Spirit – makes us citizens, no longer of this earthly realm, but of the heavenlies: Just as He is of the heavenlies, so are we of the heavenlies, because of His presence in us.
If you are born from above, you are a new creature in Christ. (II Cor. 5:17) Thus, your new citizenship isn’t simply a matter of a new label. It is a matter of the life that is in you – you are a NEW creature whose very constitution is that of the heavenlies. You haven’t merely been given a new citizenship – you ARE a citizen of the heavenlies because you are joined to Christ, and thus, you have been raised up and seated in spiritual places in Christ. (Eph. 2:6)
If this is the TRUTH, then obviously God is going to be working along that line with His people. It is why the flesh is contrary to the Spirit. It is why we must not live according to this world. It is why God tells us we must lose our lives in order to find life. It is why God is not going to continue to affirm the goals of our natural life. We have a new citizenship – which carries all of the blessings of God in Christ Jesus. This is the better country. The city of God is entered through The Door and The Way, Jesus Christ