Philippians 3:20 (NIV), But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
I’m old enough to remember when being a citizen of the USA carried power behind it. When being born in America made you proud to be an American.
When I traveled overseas on business, back in those days, a citizen of America received special treatment. Even a few years ago, when meeting with my team in the Philippines most of the people I met had a positive reaction when they asked, and I showed them my American passport; it meant something.
Though American citizenship seems to have lost its uniqueness and luster lately, citizenship in the kingdom of God has not and never will lose its worth or fail to stir the hearts of us that have the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence. Every day, in God “we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 KJV)
The term “born again” has acquired a very negative connotation. Nevertheless, without being born into the kingdom of God we have no place, no standing, no right, no opportunity, to enter into the place God intended humanity to have access. The only way to be a citizen of God’s kingdom is to be born there.
To commune with God’s celestial beings, to come into the home that Jesus prepared for us, to rest in the perfection and sovereignty of God, that is our gift as God’s citizen. This citizenship is the real citizenship I cherish. I long for the moment when the Father turns to Jesus, His Son, and says, it is time.
So, “…be of good cheer…” (John 16:33) Don’t get upset, worried, or angry about institutions or family issues that seem to scream for our attention. These are important and need our attention, but don’t let them steal the peace Jesus gives. Institutions and families cannot replace what we have as citizens of the kingdom of God. Remember, thanks to the regeneration available in Jesus this world is not our homeland. We’re just passing through.
BTW: There are several very interesting commentaries on Philippians 3:20. You can find them here.