Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1907-07-26

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By Rev. DR. j. L. u
Christians are citizens OF the heaN-
enly city, Oh whose register their
names are ENROLLED, whose privileges
they are free to enjoy ana the hoOllits
of which they are obliged to represent
by their lives, whether they be in the
CITY or absent from it. Each of the hNe
words of the text is emphatic.
( The prOnoun throws the emphasis
mon the contrast introduced betWeeh
genuine Christians and those Nominal
Christians. BY their II of Ire
they show that they are citizens OF the
present world, while We, by an opposite
course, declare that u citizenship is
above. They mind earthly things, we
mind heavenly things.
The seat of the Christians common
wealth Is in heaven. The Christian be-
longs to a celestial order Of things; he
is a member of Gods spiritual empire.
He Is not at home Oh earth, but is ever
conscious of d certain str;ngenesS in
his earthly environments while his
heart looks away to his fatherland.
This celestial citizenship is a present
possession, the full realization of
which, however, will not be his until
he is privileged to abide there in per-
son Thus the Christian Oh earth lives
in two worlds at the same time, or, 10
put it more accurately, the Christian
is a resident of earth and Il citizen of
heaven. While living in the world he
is not of the world. He May be, and
ought to be faithful in the discharge OF
every duty imposed upon him by the
earthly country in Which he lives, and
yet never forget that his celestial citi-
zenship has the prior claim upon his
allegiance. Like his lowly King, the
Christian demonstrates that one can
be a better resident of earth by being
a patriotic citizen of heaven. .
. This celestial citizenship is obtained
not by merit or purchase, but only by a
spiritual birth. Unless we are born
again from above we can never become
the citizens Of the heavenly
wealth. ...
The only door of admission to celest-
ial naturalization is regeneration. This
fact our Lord made very plain to Nico-
demus in his first recorded discourse.
Celestial citizenship is rich in the
privileges it bestows. Like the govern
ments Of this world, the heavenly COM
monwealth invests its citizens with
certain rights. Some of the more
prominent Of these privileges are liber-
ty from the slavery of sin, dignity
among the sons of men, protection
from the enmity of Satan, and provi-
sion for all the needs of body, mind
and heart. These blessings are for
citizens of all classes and conditions,
races and ages alike. And, in virtue
Of u citizenship, they are ours with
out money and without price.
Celestial citizenship also imposes
certain obligations. We might sum up
all these duties in one word-loyalty.
The Christian should be loyal to the
heavenly kingdom in his conversation,
his conduct and his company.
Loyalty in conduct is another duty.
The Christians mode of! living should
be in harmony with the country to
which he belongs. Our acts should be
consistent with the dignity of our citi-
zenship. Our of life should be
such that others may take knowledge
of US that we have been with Jesus
and learned Of his love. SO bright
should be the shining Of our light that
others, seeing our good works, may
glorify their Father which is in
heaven.
1t is also our duty to be loyal to u
King in the character of the company
we keep. Our association with Christ
should determine our earthly friend
ships.