stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:20)

I am a citizen of the United States of America. Perhaps you are as well. I have a good friend from another country who went through the legal process of becoming an American citizen. We both love our country. However, we both love something else even more – being citizens of heaven as believers in Christ. While I believe America is a great country in which to live, I understand my citizenship here is temporary, only lasting until the day I die. When I became a believer in Christ, heaven became my primary eternal home. Heaven’s better than any country, and Jesus is better than any ruler. While there are ways to become citizens of other countries, you can also lose citizenship. One thing is sure: those saved by Christ are guaranteed eternal citizenship in heaven with Jesus as their eternal Lord and Savior!

Rome spread beyond its city borders into several outlying regions. Those who lived in Philippi enjoyed Roman citizenship. Philippi was an outpost colony of Rome. Interestingly, Paul was also a citizen of Rome (Acts 16:37-38; 22:25-28). Paul was grateful for his Roman citizenship, using it to his advantage in prison to extend his gospel witness and appeal to the Roman Emperor (Acts 25). When Paul referenced being citizens in heaven (Philippians 3:20), the Philippians’ minds may have thought about the benefits of Roman citizenship no matter what Roman region they lived in. Paul’s mission was to point the Philippians to a better citizenship that spanned far beyond the reach and reign of Rome.

While Philippi may have been an “outpost” of Rome, there was a greater one.  No matter where it resided, the church was an outpost of heaven. In that day, while Rome may have spanned many geographical areas, it was no match for the broad nature of heaven. While it never did, Rome could have covered the whole earth and still would have paled compared to heaven. Rome’s influence and power were temporary. Heaven is eternal. Rome’s emperors only reigned regionally for a season, but Jesus reigns everywhere forever. There is no match for Jesus the Savior, the one believers “eagerly await from heaven.”  No matter how great a nation, leader, or their benefits may appear, nothing compares to heaven and Jesus. Our citizenship as believers is from heaven, and we eagerly await its King – Jesus our Lord and Savior!

Questions for the Head (Think)

• Which do you love more, your citizenship in heaven or the country you reside in? Does any place compare to heaven? Does any king/ruler/president compare to Jesus?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• Ask the Lord to help you focus on your forever home of heaven instead of this temporal home of earth. 

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Make a list (with Bible references) of several benefits of heavenly citizenship.