Citizens Of Heaven

by Micky Galloway

As citizens of a spiritual kingdom that cannot be destroyed, it is important that Christians look at this earthly life in its proper perspective. Where we spend eternity will depend on it. In Philippians 3:19-20, Paul contrasts those “enemies of the cross of Christ, who mind earthly things” with children of God whose “citizenship is in heaven.” In Paul’s time the Roman empire ruled the world. The Philippians exhibited great pride in being citizens of that great empire. They enjoyed all the rights and privileges of citizenship, they spoke the language of Rome, and they even dressed according to Roman style. Paul reminded the Philippian saints that they had an even more important citizenship than that, by virtue of the fact that they were children of God. Today, though we are proud to be Americans, Christians can praise God that we have the blessings of heavenly citizenship also.

One of Satan’s snares that so many fall vulnerable to is the “cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches” (Matthew 13:22). It can choke the word of God out of our hearts and cause us to be unfruitful in service to Him. The attraction of these things is great and is something we are faced with daily. Paul told Timothy, “… godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out; but having food and clothing we shall be therewith content” (I Timothy 6:8-9). Having the things needful for life, let us be content! Why? Because whatever may be gained, materially, will be left behind when we die. We should recognize such things are secondary in our lives to godliness and preparing for heaven. Jesus said of those who are his servants, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

In Matthew 13:22, Jesus also warns of the “cares of this world.” This could include a great many of our activities. Anything that is put before God is wrong. It’s sad to hear the excuses so often given in effort to justify slack service to God - fishing, family reunions, politics, unexpected company, etc. Jesus told of those invited to the marriage feast who began to make excuse (Luke 14:18). One had bought a piece of land, another had bought five yoke of oxen, another had married a wife. These things were not wrong in themselves, but when these became more important than one’s relationship to the Lord, they were wrong. Priorities were in the wrong place. The simple truth is we have become influenced by the world!

Now consider our citizenship. Where is your home? Is your heart yearning for the time you can live with God eternally? Is the hope of heaven really alive within you? Peter said, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). Perhaps we are like the prodigal son who deliberately chose to go into a foreign land to forget where his place should be (Luke 15:11ff.). Do we present ourselves as those of a heavenly citizenship in language, dress, conduct, and interests?

Consider prayerfully these scriptures, “… and those that use the world, as not using it to the full, for the fashion of this world passeth away” (I Corinthians 7:31). “Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31). “If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated on the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). We should all remember who we are and where our citizenship truly is. We, like Abraham of old, are “looking for a city that hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” For those who “desire a better, that is, a heavenly country … God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:10,16). Our citizenship is not of this world. Truly as we sing the song, “this world is not my home, I’m just passing through.”