Citizens of Heaven

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 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.

Philippians 3:18-21

If you have ever filled out an application for a passport or travel visa, you know that there is a great deal of information needed to validate the truth that you are a citizen.  Name, birthdate, social security number, address, phone number, eye and hair color, height, weight, parents’ name and maiden name - all facts that link you directly and unmistakably to your citizenship in the country.

Paul reminds us of our citizenship as Christians - a citizenship which is in heaven!  In his letter to the Philippians, Paul is clear - citizens of heaven are citizens because of the cross!  Citizens of the world are enemies of the cross.  The people at Philippi knew what Paul was getting at.  Philippi was a Roman colony but it was on the edge of Asia Minor and Greece - a long way from Rome - the spoke Latin, dressed in Roman garb, and attended theater just like in Rome.

In the same way that Roman citizenship requires a certain “way of life” - likewise, being a citizen of heaven requires a different way of life.  Enemies of the cross also have a certain behavior - their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is their shame. 

When we continue to live in the hurt of the past without forgiveness, we are an enemy of the cross; when we spend more time speaking words of gossip rather than God’s Word, we are an enemy of the cross; when we fail to see one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, we are an enemy of the cross; when we set goals for the future according to earthly standards, we are an enemy of the cross; when we struggle between what is ours and what is God’s, we are an enemy of the cross.  It led Paul to tears and Jesus to lament, where does it lead you?

Also, the minds of citizens of the world are on earthly things.  They simply cannot see beyond the health they have or don’t have, the money they have or don’t have, the job security or power, the recreation toys, the pension plan and the new car.  As long as there are amply blessings, God is good; but if there is struggle, then God’s goodness is measured against what can be achieved in the here and now.

But thanks be to God: for we have this promise - when we grieve and repent of our sins, Christ replaces our grief with His peace and forgiveness.  He restores and reconciles.  He makes new.  He gives us understanding that our citizenship in heaven has far more blessings than the temporary and fleeting ones of this world.

Proudly bear the cross of Christ and use it to free your life from the shackles of sin and death so that your body will be filled with praise and thanksgiving for the body you have is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  With the cross of Christ before you this Lenten season – may your soul sing out in eternal joy, “Heaven is my Home!”

I’m but a stranger here, Heav’n is my home;

Earth is a desert drear, Heav’n is my home.

Danger and sorrow stand  Round me on ev’ry hand;

Heav’n is my fatherland, Heav’n is my home.

LSB #748