I Am a Citizen of Heaven
Years ago, I got really sick. At first, I tried to battle it on my own, but eventually the bacteria got the best of me.
The doctor confirmed that it was strep throat. I remember him saying, “In my line of work, there are two types of people… those who get strep and those who don’t.”
In the moment, I was too miserable to make a witty, evangelistic response, but looking back, I could have said, “In my line of work, there are also two types of people… those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and those whose citizenship is in heaven.” (Maybe the Lord spared him from my ‘wittiness’ because I didn’t have Paul’s heart in that moment—Paul expressed this with tears).
Paul describes the distinction this way: “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, NIV)
This passage tells us that we await a glorious future with Jesus in heaven. This is where our true citizenship—defined as our status, membership, and place of belonging—lies. Because our eternal security is in Christ, we will never find security in this world.
I remember feeling anxious towards the end of 2020. When I asked the Lord to reveal to me what was behind this feeling, He showed me that I was afraid of losing worldly possessions. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to continue providing for my family due to the impact of the pandemic and the financial uncertaintyof the future (maybe some of you can relate!).
My mind was set on earthly things. While I do need to be a good steward of the things God has entrusted to my care, I was putting too much stock in things of this world.
Once I surrendered my fears to the Lord, He gently reminded me that this earth is not my home. Peace of mind returned as I chose to trust Him. Ultimately, no matter what happens here on earth, my eternity is secure because of Christ.
Our hope is in our Savior, Jesus, who will one day bring everything under his control. Ahhh… I can rest secure in that!
But Paul does not stop with this. Paul encourages the Philippians (and us!) to continue growing in our faith during our time on earth. Shortly before Paul tells his readers that their citizenship is in heaven, he encourages them to keep pressing on to know and follow Jesus.
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, (we) press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called (us) heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)
There are two options. We can have our minds set on the temporary, passing, unfulfilling things of the earth. Or we can live in eager anticipation of meeting our Savior, Jesus.
After all, our true place of belonging is in heaven with the all-powerful Lord! While that is not our current physical reality, it is our spiritual reality. And one day, He will “transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (verse 21).
Dear Saints, citizenship in heaven is both our present and future reality. Let us eagerly await being united with the Lord Jesus. And while we want, let us continue to grow in our serving Him and being a good steward with what he has entrusted to us.