I have spoken in previous blogs about our Dominican son whom God gave us through our baseball ministry. He stayed in the United States, put himself through school, married a beautiful and incredible young lady, and obtained his citizenship, once his baseball career was over. He was not required to relinquish his Dominican citizenship. So, he currently has dual citizenship to both Dominica and the United States.
When I was younger, having been a resident of the U.S. my whole life, I had no idea that the requirements of citizenship vary by country. In my mind, the requirements of citizenship were universal. I thought that a person need only apply and meet that country’s guidelines/procedures to obtain citizenship. I was also unaware that a person could hold dual citizenship(s). But in some countries, it is not only allowed. Nonetheless, it’s pretty easy to obtain if you meet the appropriate requirements.
For instance, two of our grandbabies have the ability to apply for dual citizenship with Italy. Their great grandparents were citizens of Italy who immigrated to the United States. They brought our daughter-in-love’s infant mom with them, who was also a citizen of Italy. They all became U.S. citizens as well as citizens of Italy. Italy allows for our daughter-in-love and our grandchildren to apply for citizenship. So, if they wanted to, they could have dual citizenship in both the U.S. and Italy.
One of the most common requirements of citizenship is that the individual, a close family member, or a spouse must have been a born citizen. But not all countries allow dual citizenship. In some countries, if they even allow a person to obtain citizenship, the person applying must relinquish their citizenship in their original country. Some countries (such as Saudi Arabia) will not even allow citizenship unless the person is born to a Saudi father.
I am so thankful that God allows dual citizenship. Once we invite Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives, we are granted citizenship in Heaven! “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” Philippians 3:20. God isn’t as strict with regard to citizenship in Heaven.
Citizenship in Heaven (similar to Saudi Arabia) does also require parental citizenship. But not of our biological parents. It requires that we would be adopted sons and daughters of the God of all creation. And fortunately, He desires that all people would seek out a relationship with Him so that He could adopt them as His precious children. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” Romans 8:14.
Not only does God allow for our adoption, but we become heirs to the Kingdom of Heaven. “But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7.
God also doesn’t require that we relinquish our earthly citizenship. Because God desires that, while we are here on this earth, we might glorify Him in such a way that others might desire a relationship with Him. Our purpose is to help others obtain their citizenship in Heaven. That they too might have dual citizenship.
God wanted to have a personal and intimate relationship with us. He wanted to bless us beyond measure and provide more incredible things than our minds can comprehend. The Garden of Eden, prior to the introduction of sin, was a picture of that.
But sin ruined it. So, God sent His one and only Son to suffer and die. Jesus paid the penalty of our sin for us. He died in our place. And now (if Jesus is our Lord and Savior), our home is in eternity with Him. And someday, when we die or Jesus comes back, we will be in the presence of God in our glorious new home.
In the mean time, our citizenship is here. And our job is to glorify God so intensely that those around us would want to have dual citizenship too. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16.
Father God, we thank you for your love for us. We thank you that you desired a relationship with us. And we thank you that you sent your Son to pay the penalty that we couldn’t pay and now our citizenship is in Heaven with you. Father, we thank you that you would allow us to be representatives of you. We thank you that you would allow us to glorify you upon this earth so that others could have their dual citizenship here and in heaven.
Lord Jesus, we thank you for the incredible sacrifice that you made on our behalf. We thank you that you paid the penalty that we couldn’t pay. And we thank you that your love for us was so great that you were willing to face separation from God to ensure our citizenship in heaven.
Holy Spirit, work in and through us so that we might glorify our Father in heaven, and others might repent of their sins. Thank you that they can be joined with us as sons and daughters of God. Let them experience you Holy Spirit. Let them feel your love, hear your voice, and seek after you because of the way you move in us. Work through us to secure their dual citizenship in Heaven. We pray these things in your precious and Holy name, Jesus!
Please go to our life preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) if you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and if you are uncertain of your citizenship status in heaven. God wants to have an intimate and loving relationship with you more than you can even comprehend. Please pray the prayer that you find outlined on this page and reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com to let me know. I’d love to be available to you for questions or prayers.
Luv Ya!
