Our Heavenly Citizenship

"Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now say 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 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 3:17-21).

Here in the United States we are involved in a very heated presidential race. In a broader sense we are also in a very heated culture war and this is really true wherever this is read today. As God's people we need the Word of God and God's perspective on life.

As I study today's text I note that Paul left an example and pattern. Through the inspired Word of God this example and pattern, initially provided to the Philippian believers, is also very pertinent for us today. We do well to heed it carefully.

An ongoing faith struggle for the believer is to remember where our home really is. I believe this is particularly true in places where life has been very good. We listen to the political leaders and wonder who can best keep us safe, keep life good and even make it better. Of course both candidates project a rosy outlook promising us even more for less. Yet our nation's critical moral and spiritual condition is barely mentioned.

Note the contrast in the daily Scripture portion. First, "many live as enemies of the cross of Christ" (Philippians 3:18) and Paul summarizes their outlook; "Their mind is on earthly things." "Earthly things" conveys a perspective that sees life only with the natural eye. Paul observes that "many" live this way and evidence of this is seen everywhere you look! I consider how relatively few of the people I encounter are likely giving any thought to God and their eternal destiny. Their minds are consumed with earthly things.

"But our citizenship is in heaven." Now that's the perspective I want! Sure, I'll be voting this November and praying for our country (particularly for a great spiritual awakening that I believe is the only hope for genuine reform). I have American citizenship and this is the country where God has providentially ordained that I would live out the earthly part of my existence.

No matter what country grants us citizenship, as believers we have dual citizenship and want to be cognizant daily of where we hold our primary citizenship, where our real home is. It's not here!  We want to have the perspective of Paul regarding the return of the Lord. "And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." Where's your primary citizenship and thus spiritual focus today?

Be encouraged today,

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, it is because of Your great compassion and the sacrificial death of Jesus that we receive our heavenly citizenship. We're so thankful for our heavenly citizenship where we will one day experience all the special privileges that await us there. Help us not to be so tied to our earthly citizenship that we crave the pleasures and merits of this world above the future eternal inheritance promised to Your faithful followers. Amen.

Dual citizenship - Paul testified that he was also a Roman citizen (Acts 22:25).

Chaplain Stephen and Brooksyne Weber serve with Transport for Christ. Click here to contact the Webers.