July 10

Morning

Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, — Eph 2:19 BSB

What does it mean for us to be citizens of heaven? It means that we are under the rule of heaven’s government. Christ, the King of heaven, reigns in our hearts, and our daily prayer is, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We gladly receive the proclamations issued from the throne of glory, and we willingly obey the decrees of the Great King.

As citizens of the New Jerusalem, we also share in heaven’s honors. The glory that belongs to the saints in heaven is already ours, for we are children of God, princes and princesses of His kingdom. We are already clothed in the spotless robe of Christ’s righteousness. Angels serve us, saints are our companions, Christ is our Brother, God is our Father, and the crown of immortality is our reward! We enjoy the privileges of heavenly citizenship, for we belong to the assembly of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.

As citizens, we also have a claim to all the riches of heaven. The gates of pearl, the walls of jasper, the light that needs neither candle nor sun, the river of the water of life, and the fruits of the trees planted by its banks—all are ours. “Things present or things to come,” all belong to us!

As citizens of heaven, we share in its delights. Do the saints in heaven rejoice over sinners who repent? So do we. Do they sing of the glory of God’s grace? We sing the same song. Do they cast their crowns at Jesus’ feet? We lay down whatever honors we have at His feet as well. Are they captivated by His smile? It is just as sweet to us who dwell on earth. Do they look forward to His second coming? We also long for His return. If we are truly citizens of heaven, let our lives reflect the dignity and honor of our high calling!

Evening

God called the light “day,” and the darkness He called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day. — Gen 1:5 BSB

The evening was “darkness,” and the morning was “light,” yet the two together are called “day,” a term usually reserved for the light. This is an interesting observation, but it perfectly mirrors the spiritual experience of a believer. In every Christian, there is both darkness and light, but we are not called sinners because of the sin within us. Instead, we are called saints because we possess a measure of holiness. This thought brings comfort to those who mourn over their weaknesses and wonder, “Can I truly be a child of God when there is so much darkness in me?” Yes, you can! Like the day, you are not named for the darkness but for the light. Scripture speaks of you as though you were already fully holy, as you soon will be. You are called a “child of light,” even though darkness still resides in you. You are identified by what is the predominant quality in God’s sight, which one day will be the only principle remaining.

Notice that evening comes first. Naturally, we begin in darkness, and this is often our initial experience, as we cry out in deep repentance, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” Morning comes second, as grace triumphs over our sinful nature. John Bunyan wisely said, “That which is last, lasts forever.” What comes first eventually gives way to what follows, but nothing comes after the last. So even though we start in darkness, once we become light in the Lord, there is no more evening to come—“your sun shall no more go down.” The first day in this life is evening and morning, but the second day, when we are with God forever, will be an endless day of sacred, eternal noon!