The title of of the message is Living as Citizens of Heaven and it is based from the letter of Paul to the Philippian believers. Philippians 3:17-21, says, “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
The key verse in this passage is found in verse 20, “For our citizenship is in heaven…” Paul wrote this statement, telling the believers that their true citizenship is in heaven. If a person believed Jesus Christ and accepted Him as savior and Lord, he is bound to heaven and enjoys his heavenly citizenship. After our life here on earth, we will be able to experience our true citizenship. Since we are still on earth, it is expected that our way of life must be in accordance to our true citizenship.
How to live as citizens of heaven while still living here on earth?
As Citizens of Heaven, Understand the Difference between Earthly and Heavenly
It is stated in Philippians 3:18-19, “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.”
Paul clearly defined those who are not citizens of heaven, according to these two verses above. According to ESV Study Bible, “The enemies of the cross could be the Judaizers of v. 2 or ‘wordly’ people in general. Their destiny is final judgement (destruction), they worship themselves (their belly), and they consumed with earthly things.”
Life is identified in terms of a priority. Are you consumed by earthly things or heavenly things? If you are truly a citizen of heaven, what is your priority? Those who are not bound to heaven, focus their lives, primarily on earthly things. On the contratry, those who are citizens of heaven can also be identified as people who set their minds to the things above or heavenly. Their practices and habits are in line with their devotion to God.
The famous evangelist Billy Graham once said, “My home is heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.” All of us are just travelling or passing through this world. Life on earth is temporary and earthly things do not last. But heaven is eternal. Now, we know the difference between the earthly and the heavenly.
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As Citizens of Heaven, Jesus must be the Center of our Lives
Philippians 3:20-21, says, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
When we set our minds to the things above, Jesus must become the center of everything. We fell good when we hear inspirational messages that talk about blessings, joy, happiness, and material abundance. But when persecutions and trials come, it is also easier to give up. Why? It is because Jesus is not the center. Eathly things can consume our time and energy. Specially when we put our comfort and happiness at the center of our lives. We should put Jesus Christ at the center of our lives and it will be easier to deal with our problems on this earth.
Let us ponder of what Israel Houghton has said, “Many times we say Jesus is first in our life, and I get that, but Jesus should not be the first, He should be center of everything.”
