19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
This immigration reform at it best. We not only get a green card from heaven when we become a Jesus-follower, we get full citizenship. This is true even if we were complete rebels and insurrectionists. The worst of humankind can get full rights in heaven by trusting in Jesus. The Jewish people in the days of Jesus felt they had an exclusive place in the scheme of God. They thought if you weren’t a Jew, you weren’t worth anything. In fact you were worse than that, you were an enemy. Sounds like the suicide bombers of today, doesn’t it? They are willing to take innocent lives of their own people, their brothers and sisters, cousins and in-laws, all on the chance they will kill increase the chance of killing one enemy. And of course an enemy is defined as anyone who isn’t exactly like them. Even within Islam there is a theological split that exists that has caused countless to be killed over the millennia. All this needless death and destruction all to push someone away. God throws open the gates of heaven and offers everyone full membership. The entrance requirements can be met by anyone regardless of the lack of earthly qualifications. That is because Jesus has made it possible for everyone to be qualified. The earthly rules that exclude others don’t matter to Him. They are all earthly limits, but we are talking about heaven here, limitless heaven. The only qualification is that we be willing to accept His membership criteria, faith. When we trust then He qualifies us for the position of citizen of heaven. And everyone else who trusts is also equally qualified. This is true even if in an earthly sense we are enemies or foreigners. All those earthly divisions are gone in Jesus. I have experienced this down through the years. I have met some fellow believers who in my natural self would not have been included in my circle of friends. But because of our unity in Jesus, the sinful barriers I had constructed fell apart. There was a warmth and connection that went beyond my understanding. Citizens of Heaven can get along with fellow citizens. When we are accepted in heaven, it is much easier to accept here on earth.
The Arnold Journey 