Hey there, fellow citizens of heaven!
Today, I want to dive into one of the most mind-blowing truths that we as believers get to embrace: our citizenship is in heaven. Yep, you heard that right – we’re not just residents of this earthly realm; we’re citizens of a kingdom that’s out of this world. And let me tell you, it changes everything.
So, let’s start by unpacking what exactly this means. In Philippians 3:20-21, the apostle Paul lays it out for us plain and simple: “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.”
Let’s talk about what it means to be a citizen.
It’s more than just having a passport or a piece of paper; it’s about belonging to a community, a people, a way of life. And as citizens of heaven, we’re part of something far greater and more magnificent than we could ever imagine. We’re part of God’s eternal kingdom–a kingdom of love, grace, and unending joy.
But here’s the thing: being a citizen of heaven doesn’t mean we’re just biding our time until we kick the bucket and go to the great beyond. Nope, it means we get to live with purpose and hope right here and now. It means bringing a little taste of heaven to earth wherever we go.
So, what does that look like in practical terms?
Well, for starters, it means living with a sense of urgency and expectancy. We’re not just aimlessly wandering through life, waiting for something better to come along. Nope, we’re eagerly awaiting the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who will one day come back to usher in the fullness of God’s kingdom.
But here’s the beautiful part: while we wait, we get to be part of the kingdom-building process. We get to love extravagantly, forgive recklessly, and serve selflessly–all in the name of our heavenly citizenship. And as we do, we get to see glimpses of heaven breaking through the brokenness of this world.
But wait, there’s more!
Not only are we citizens of heaven, but we also have a glorious future awaiting us. Paul tells us that Jesus will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. Yep, that means no more pain, no more suffering, no more tears–just pure joy in the presence of our Savior.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that gets me pretty darn excited. Knowing that this life isn’t all there is, that there’s something far greater and more beautiful waiting for us on the other side–well, it changes everything. It gives us hope during despair, strength in the face of adversity, and joy that transcends our circumstances.
But here’s the kicker: we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to experience a taste of that glory. Nope, we can live with heaven’s perspective right here and now. We can love boldly, forgive freely, and live with a sense of purpose and meaning that comes from knowing who we are and whose we are.
So, my fellow citizens of heaven,
Let’s live like we believe it. Let’s live with hope and expectancy, knowing that our Savior is coming back to usher in the fullness of God’s kingdom. And in the meantime, let’s bring a little taste of heaven to earth, wherever we go. After all, we’re citizens of heaven, and that’s something worth celebrating.
With love and blessings,
Brian