CITIZENSHIP

Philippians 3:17-21
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Pressing Toward the Goal

17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

As Christians and earthly citizens, we are responsible to “…render unto Caesar…” That means God commands us to follow the laws of the land, pay taxes, vote, etc. The Christian aught to be the best citizen around because we represent Christ.

While we are being good citizens here on earth (our physical citizenship), Paul reminds us that our true citizenship (spiritual) is above. “…we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.” One day, either by death or rapture, we will live with Jesus for eternity. Don’t wait until you get to heaven. Practice now how to live in the presence of the Lord.

“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”