Post by Les on May 12, 2023 13:19:05 GMT -5
Citizens of Heaven By: Amy Boucher Pye
Click here for the Audio Message
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour.
Philippians 3:20
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Philippians 3:17–4:1
My kids hold two passports—one from the country where we live and one from the country of my birth. They’re citizens of the United Kingdom and of the United States, but my husband and I remind them that their primary citizenship is of heaven.
The Apostle Paul spoke of this citizenship in his letter to the church at Philippi, which was made up of many Roman citizens who had settled in a Roman colony. Writing to those entitled to the benefits and privileges of the ruling power, he called them to a higher allegiance. He desired that they’d bring the practices of their heavenly citizenship to their earthly existence, that they’d not be ruled by their appetites or desires. Instead, he wanted them to reveal themselves as people transformed by their life in Christ.
Being citizens of heaven sets apart those who believe in Christ. My husband and I explained this to our kids when they wondered why we engage in nightly prayers or go to church regularly. As parents we desire that our children give their hearts fully to God, and that their heavenly passport will be their defining one.
Our longings for the Kingdom of God might make us feel like we don’t fully belong at times. We can ask God to help us live with grace through these feelings of disconnect while spreading His love and truth.
Reflect & Pray
Where do you place your allegiances? To a particular sports team? As a foodie? To the books you read? How does your heavenly citizenship trump all other ties?
God of all the nations, help me to submit to Your lordship in every area of my life. I want to serve You fully and with a singleness of heart.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul lived such an exemplary life that he asked the Philippian believers to imitate him—to use him as a model of living the life of a believer in Jesus (Philippians 3:17; see 1 Corinthians 4:16). They were to follow Paul’s mindset and actions. He dared to ask believers to follow his example because he himself had “[followed] the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul’s mindset and actions were that of Jesus’—self-denial, unquestioned obedience, and humble service ( Philippians 2:5–11). They were to imitate Paul in his relentless pursuit of Christ and Christlikeness (3:7–14). In fact, the Philippian believers were encouraged not only to imitate Paul, but to imitate any believer whose life was undeniably modelled upon Christ’s (3:17). On the other hand, Paul warns of following the wrong models—those who profess faith but “live as enemies of the cross of Christ”; those who live a worldly and immoral life ( vv. 18–19).
K. T. Sim
Philippians 3:17-4:1
King James Version
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
...........................................................................................
Our Daily Bread Evening Meditations - He Was Buried for You
Short, uplifting evening meditations from God’s Word to help you refocus your heart on the Lord at the end of each day. Experience His peace as you “lie down and sleep” with the assurance that “you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
Click here for this evening's podcast - He Was Buried for You
Click here for the Audio Message
We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Saviour.
Philippians 3:20
Today's Scripture & Insight:
Philippians 3:17–4:1
My kids hold two passports—one from the country where we live and one from the country of my birth. They’re citizens of the United Kingdom and of the United States, but my husband and I remind them that their primary citizenship is of heaven.
The Apostle Paul spoke of this citizenship in his letter to the church at Philippi, which was made up of many Roman citizens who had settled in a Roman colony. Writing to those entitled to the benefits and privileges of the ruling power, he called them to a higher allegiance. He desired that they’d bring the practices of their heavenly citizenship to their earthly existence, that they’d not be ruled by their appetites or desires. Instead, he wanted them to reveal themselves as people transformed by their life in Christ.
Being citizens of heaven sets apart those who believe in Christ. My husband and I explained this to our kids when they wondered why we engage in nightly prayers or go to church regularly. As parents we desire that our children give their hearts fully to God, and that their heavenly passport will be their defining one.
Our longings for the Kingdom of God might make us feel like we don’t fully belong at times. We can ask God to help us live with grace through these feelings of disconnect while spreading His love and truth.
Reflect & Pray
Where do you place your allegiances? To a particular sports team? As a foodie? To the books you read? How does your heavenly citizenship trump all other ties?
God of all the nations, help me to submit to Your lordship in every area of my life. I want to serve You fully and with a singleness of heart.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Paul lived such an exemplary life that he asked the Philippian believers to imitate him—to use him as a model of living the life of a believer in Jesus (Philippians 3:17; see 1 Corinthians 4:16). They were to follow Paul’s mindset and actions. He dared to ask believers to follow his example because he himself had “[followed] the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul’s mindset and actions were that of Jesus’—self-denial, unquestioned obedience, and humble service ( Philippians 2:5–11). They were to imitate Paul in his relentless pursuit of Christ and Christlikeness (3:7–14). In fact, the Philippian believers were encouraged not only to imitate Paul, but to imitate any believer whose life was undeniably modelled upon Christ’s (3:17). On the other hand, Paul warns of following the wrong models—those who profess faith but “live as enemies of the cross of Christ”; those who live a worldly and immoral life ( vv. 18–19).
K. T. Sim
Philippians 3:17-4:1
King James Version
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
4 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
...........................................................................................
Our Daily Bread Evening Meditations - He Was Buried for You
Short, uplifting evening meditations from God’s Word to help you refocus your heart on the Lord at the end of each day. Experience His peace as you “lie down and sleep” with the assurance that “you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).
Click here for this evening's podcast - He Was Buried for You