In the last part of Philippians 3:20-4:1, Paul writes to people that he loves deeply. His heart is full, wanting the best for them, when he writes,
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
To this point in the chapter, Paul has been warning them to be careful of false teachers and how they should press on toward the prize instead of living like the world. Now, with a look toward the future, he writes, “Our citizenship is in Heaven!”
In these verses, God is giving us, through Paul, the proper PERSPECTIVE. It’s a perspective that we need TODAY in our country and the world. We live as those who are passing through this world with our eyes fixed on Heaven and awaiting our Savior, Jesus Christ.
This in no way discounts our earthly citizenship; in fact, as God does, it raises the bar for us as believers. We live by a higher, perfectly righteous authority, and we answer to a powerful, transforming God. When we live with a Heavenly perspective, we’ll bring Glory to God in our lives. Here’s why…
In Heaven, TRUTH reigns.
Truth is not a my truth vs your truth as the world would have us believe. TRUTH has a name, and it is Jesus Christ.
THE TRUTH reigns in Heaven, and it does not bend one way to fit my needs and another way to fit yours – it is the STANDARD for life. Jesus said, “I AM the Truth, the Way, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
In a day where it seems like lies flow across everyone’s lips like water, we MUST be the ones who always tell the truth. Why? Because we are citizens of Heaven.
In Heaven, LOVE rules.
LOVE is another corrupted concept in our world today. The world interprets love as a response to what someone else can do for us. Worldly love says, “I’ll love you, if you do this or that for me.” That’s not love! Love chooses to love when it’s not easy, convenient, or even fair.
- I don’t love you because you look like me. I love you because you bear the image of God.
- I don’t love you because of what you can do for me. I love you because Jesus loves you.
- I don’t love you because you talk like I do, act like I do, or repeat the exact words I do. No! I love you because I’m a citizen of Heaven and in Heaven, LOVE RULES.
Will you love those who Jesus loves… “red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” Hey citizen of Heaven, love them!
In Heaven, PRAISE echos.
In Heaven, PRAISE echoes through the air. In a world where hatred, filth, and unkind words fill the air, we must let PRAISE flow from our lips. We are citizens of Heaven where the One Who deserves praise and has earned praise rules and reigns. Therefore, we must let every word that proceeds out of our mouth be Christ-honoring, seasoned with salt, and filled with love for the building up and encouragement of others. As a citizen of Heaven, let your voice be a voice of PRAISE.
Paul finishes this thought by reminding us that we are being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ by His power and that we should, as citizens of Heaven, STAND FIRM in this world.