The Foundations of the GospelSample

New Creations & Citizens of Heaven Jesus came to restore that which was lost in our lives because of sin. What was lost as a result of sin? A Godly nature (union with God) and a Heavenly reality (communion with God). Jesus made a way back to the Father so that we could be in union and communion with God once again. The Bible says that we are now new creations and citizens of Heaven. NEW CREATION We are now considered perfect in the sight of God and are reconciled back into a relationship with Him. Our identity is no longer in that of this world and we no longer are obligated to our sinful nature. We have a new identity and aren’t bound by our selfish desires. We can now live in the freedom of who we are now that Christ has come. As we surrender our lives and hearts to God, His nature becomes who we are, and we are no longer the center of our world – Jesus is. CITIZENS OF HEAVEN Because we are now citizens of Heaven, our old reality (a life governed by this world and our senses) is no longer the reality of our new lives. We live in the world, but we are not of the world. We receive our information from Heaven (the reality of our new lives in Christ). We are no longer bound by an earthly perspective, but we can now see the world through spiritual eyes – meaning truth and what we believe in the depths of our hearts is according to Jesus, the Word of God, the Holy Spirit, God’s promises, and Heaven. Questions: 1. Who/what is the center of your world? 2. Do you live in freedom of who you are now that Christ has come, or do you feel bound by your selfish desires? 3. Do you see the world through worldly eyes or spiritual eyes? How can you shift your perspective to see the world from the perspective of Heaven?