By Pastor Mark Shupe
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ – Philippians 3:20
Webster’s Dictionary defines citizenship as “the fact or status of being a citizen of a particular place.” In addition, it also means “the qualities that a person is expected to have as a responsible member of a community.”
As believers in Christ, we are true citizens or members of heaven. Let that truth sink in for a moment. Our imperishable and undefiled residence is reserved for us in heaven (1 Peter 1:3-5). Which means our earthly residence is simply a short-lived dwelling place, or as in the words of a great Carrie Underwood song, “this is our temporary home.”
While on this earth, we are ambassadors or representatives of our heavenly residence (2 Corinthians 5:20). We are to display those lasting, Christ-like qualities in our thoughts and actions as we go about our short-lived lives on this earth. What are those qualities? Ask God to show you one or two attitudes or actions that you can implement in your life to be a better representative of your true citizenship.
Here’s a few Scriptures to get you started: Matthew 22:37-39; Philippians 2:3-5; Colossians 3:12-17; 2 Peter 1:4-8.
