There are 2 powerful verses in Ephesians that define our place with God and our access to Him.  Ephesians 2:18-19  “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,”  Because of him (Jesus) we have access to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Because of his death and resurrection we are no longer isolated by our sin but belong to God through our faith in Jesus.  He sees us as sons and daughters and citizens in heaven awaiting a time when we will live eternally with Him.  Scripture is filled with evidence of these truths.   Here are a few references for you to check out.

We have access to God through Jesus’ work on the cross and indwelling Holy Spirit.   Romans 10:10-12, Ephesians 2:21-22,  Ephesians 3:12-13,  Hebrews 7:25,  Colossians 1:18-20.  1 John 4:13 “This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”

We are fellow citizens in heaven and members of His household.  If we are members of His household then He is our father.   “Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,Father.”  Galatians 4:6  

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,”  Philippians 3:20    Jesus went to prepare our heavenly home.  He promised us we would be with Him.   John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.  My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.  You know the way to the place where I am going.”

What a privileged position we hold.  Christ sent His Holy Spirit to live within us and give us access to Him 24/7.  We can come before Him anytime be it day or night.  Hebrews 10:22-23 encourages us to come before God with a humble spirit and live with assurance that He is faithful and will meet our needs.  “ Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswerving to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”

Since we live in the hear and now, I often forget that I already am a citizen of heaven and that in the future my home will be there with God.  As for now, I can revel in the fact that I can stay in constant communication with Jesus through His indwelling Holy Spirit and that He is interceding for me there in heaven.   Romans 8:26-27 confirms this, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”    Do you see yourself as being heaven bound?  Do you know for a fact that the Holy Spirit intercedes for you, on your behalf?  Take some time and mediate on your heavenly position and the grace God shows you though Jesus.  If you don’t know Him, pray for Jesus to come into your heart and your life today.  Acknowledge your own sinfulness and need for a savior.  Then thank Him and begin your redeemed life.

This picture is a good reminder of how we belong to Jesus for eternity.  Be encouraged today!

Linda