A Word about Heavenly Citizenship

Today I want to share a word about heavenly citizenship, as I comment on Philippians 3:17-4:1. This Scripture reads: 

Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself. Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

So, let’s talk today about heavenly citizenship.

If you are someone, like me, who needs to keep up with trends in the Evangelical world, you might have come across a heated discussion that is currently taking place about the subject of Christian nationalism. This is the idea that some pastors and church members have conflated their Christian identity with their patriotic identity. In other words, they have confused their US citizenship with their position in the Kingdom of God. It is a hot topic, and bottom line up front, I will not be resolving that argument today. 

What I can do, however,  is to consider what Paul had to say to the church at Philippi about our heavenly citizenship.

Paul's Citizenship:

Paul, of course, was a Roman citizen, and he was not shy about claiming the benefits of being a citizen of that empire when it benefitted his ministry and the spreading of the Gospel. At the same time, he did not wear his Roman citizenship on his sleeve. This could be because at the time Paul lived, the Roman Empire had largely abandoned the democratic system which had cause it to prosper. In addition, Roman democracy had always limited to the elites of society in any case. One can admire the Roman Empire for its many achievements, but sadly, championing liberty and freedom for all people was not one of them.

Paul was somewhat more bold in claiming that he was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews.” He was a Jew and a member of that nation also, and he wasn’t ashamed of it. He was glad to remind doubters of his Jewish heritage and to claim every benefit he could from that relationship also. Of course, the Jewish nation as a whole, as well as the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah, had turned their back on God and were punished for their faithlessness and rebellion.

Paul was a member of two great nations, Rome and Israel, but his primary loyalty was to neither. He much preferred the Kingdom of Heaven to either earthly sovereigns. 

He knew that all things on this orb are limited and frail and imperfect, and they pale in comparison to the things of Heaven. He knew that human sovereignty is limited and frail and imperfect, and it pales in comparison to the Lord of Heaven and Earth. He knew that the righteousness of people, nations, and kings is as filthy rags as compared to the righteousness of God. He knew which kingdom should claim his ultimate loyalty, and which kingdom had the power to transform his life. And, if the answer isn’t apparent by now, it wasn’t Rome or Israel.

Our Citizenship:

If Paul were an American Christian today, he’d be a good citizen and a good neighbor. He would not be ashamed of his citizenship and he would take advantage of it as he preached the Gospel. He would recognize that the US is a nation that has done many good things and also made some mistakes. He’d know that we have corrected many of our historical mistakes while, because we are human, we continue to make others.  I believe he would be glad to live here in the USA.

Paul would also recognize, however, that the greatest benefit of our the political liberty and freedoms we enjoy is not so we can make money, or enjoy recreation, or even live how and where we want. No, he’d see that the greatest benefit of our nation is that we are free to choose a higher loyalty; loyalty to the Cross of Christ, and our Lord’s redeeming and transforming power in our lives.

Heavenly Citizenship:

In preferring the realm of Heaven to any earthly sovereign, Paul was merely agreeing with Jesus, who taught us, in Mark 8:36, 

“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” 

And, let's be honest with ourselves, how can we argue with Jesus?

Every blessing,

Otis Corbitt