Citizens of Heaven
Philippians 3:20-21—…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.
You’ve probably noticed that there is a major election just around the corner. In my lifetime I cannot think of any one that has been more divisive. Two sides basically accusing the other of being un-American. All that can and does unite us as citizens of this land seems to be forgotten in order to emphasize those things that divide us. Whether you are thoroughly ashamed of our nation, bleed the stars and stripes, or anything in between, you’ve taken notice and you’re probably getting sick of it all. You may also be able to look at your own heart and life and see that the politics of late (and everything that is 2020) has been able to bring out your worst from time to time.
How important it is for us at times such as these to remember that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Phil. 3:20). God has blessed us in that we are able to say we are citizens of this nation, but never forget how much more precious is your citizenship in heaven which has nothing to do with political parties and elections here on earth.
Your citizenship is in heaven, not because you elected Jesus to be your King and Savior, but because he elected you to be his child forever! This fact comes with an amazing promise! “…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” (Phil 3:20-21).
This is why you can keep your hearts, minds, and eyes focused on your heavenly country where you have eternal citizenship. What’s more is that as you wait for entrance into your heavenly country by Jesus’ side, you also know that a resurrection just like Jesus’ resurrection waits for you! Your heavenly home is the place where death is vanquished, where pain cannot be present, where sorrow won’t even be a memory, and where tears are a thing of the past!
This glorious truth is what unites all Christians of all earthly nations of all times. There is no greater unifier than our Savior Jesus who gave his life for the sins of the WHOLE world! I encourage you to remember this today and always, but especially during an election cycle such as this. Remember that you have fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in our community who have differing political views than you do. Don’t let that divide you. Remember what unites you! You, through faith in Christ, are Citizens of Heaven!