How To Become A Citizen of God’s Kingdom
From Earthly Requirements to Heavenly Citizenship: A Look at Psalm 15
Over the past decade, more than 7 million people have become naturalized U.S. citizens, with an annual average of about 740,000 new legal citizens. To achieve this, applicants must meet specific criteria: being at least 18, holding a valid green card, residing in the U.S. for five years, demonstrating good moral character, and passing an English proficiency and a Citizenship Test. It’s a rigorous process to gain entry into the United States.
Just as there are requirements for U.S. citizenship, the Bible describes what it takes to be a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
The Question of Access
The book of Psalms, essentially a hymnal of worship, is full of lyrics that describe God's majesty and the transformation He offers. Today, we're looking at Psalm 15, a vivid picture of the life defined by citizenship in God's kingdom.
The Psalm opens with a profound question: "Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?"
In ancient Israel, God’s presence was believed to reside in the Tabernacle and later the Temple in Jerusalem, which sat on Mt. Zion, the "holy hill." God is so perfectly holy that no sinner could stand in His presence. The veil separating the Holy of Holies—where God’s presence was thought to be—from the rest of the Temple emphasized this divine separation. Only the High Priest, once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), could enter, and only after an intricate purification ritual.
The answer to the Psalm’s question is simple: only someone who is holy—morally perfect—just like God Himself.
The Kingdom is at Hand
Jesus’ primary message was that the Kingdom of God was "at hand." The people of the time expected an earthly king to overthrow the Romans and restore Israel to its former glory, but Jesus clarified: "My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom... But my kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).
The Kingdom of God has three components: a ruler, a people, and a territory. For God's Kingdom, Jesus Christ is the ruler, His followers are the people, and the territory He rules over is the hearts of His followers. Paul explains this transfer of citizenship: "For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son..." (Colossians 1:13-14).
The moment of entry, Jesus said, requires being "born again" (John 3:3-5), referring to Christian baptism. As Peter proclaimed: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Jesus' death on the cross—which tore the Temple veil from top to bottom—opened up access to God’s presence, and through baptism, we are made holy and our sins are forgiven, granting us citizenship.
Qualities of a Sanctified Citizen
The characteristics described in Psalm 15 are the qualities God develops in a person who lives in His kingdom, a process called sanctification. A Sanctified Citizen lives under God's rule and becomes more like Christ.
Psalm 15 describes five defining qualities of a Kingdom citizen:
Their Character is True: They lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. They live with integrity, their actions matching their words.
Their Words are Restrained: They are judicious in conversation, refusing to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. They use their speech to build others up.
Their Allegiance is Clear-Cut: They despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the LORD. Their values are based on God's values, honoring what is good and despising what is wrong, even when it results in suffering.
Their Dealings are Honorable: They cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent and treat people fairly in all business dealings, motivated by righteousness, not greed.
Their Place is Assured: The psalm concludes that such people will stand firm forever. They will not "totter" or "slip" because their place in God's Kingdom is secure.
The Kingdom of God is a paradox: it is "already" here in the hearts of believers, and "not yet" fully realized in its final form (heaven). By placing your hope in Jesus, repenting, and submitting to Christian Baptism, you enter the Kingdom and become a citizen of God's unshakable realm, living a life defined by His transformational grace.
