From the Pulpit: Citizens of Heaven
Citizenship is a hot topic these days and it isn’t the first time in world history that this was the case. At the Apostle Paul’s time, being a citizen in the Roman Empire was a big deal – it offered you certain rights and privileges that you otherwise wouldn’t have had as a non-citizen.
Paul plays off those themes as he writes his letter to a city that was filled with a lot of retired Roman military officers – Philippi. Paul writes, “For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:18-21)
Paul is saying that those with faith in Jesus do not belong to this world. They live in this world, but their citizenship is in heaven. That is home.
Paul wants believers to remember this because there is amazing comfort attached to that concept – as our Savior, Jesus has been raised, so to we will be raised one day and our bodies transformed to be like his glorious body. That gives us comfort through the pains and trials of this life. That gives us comfort in the face of death.
And it sort of puts things in perspective, doesn’t it? It means that a whole lot of crazy stuff can happen here on earth and it will. We will have to live in that and with that, but this is not home, this is not where we ultimately belong. Heaven is home and we belong there. And we look forward to joining our Savior there.
When our heavenly citizenship takes precedent over our earthly citizenship, it gives peace to focus firstly on the promises of God in Jesus and His Word. It gives resilience as you face the problems and valleys of this life. And it gives you a proper perspective, that no matter what happens in an election or in the years to come, your citizenship in this world is not forever, but your citizenship in heaven is. Hold onto that peace, that resilience, and that perspective. Amen.
