Philippians: A Life in ChristSampel

The city of Philippi was a bustling Roman colony whose inhabitants prided themselves on being Roman citizens. Many Philippians made a point of speaking Latin and even dressed like Romans. Paul makes a point in his letter that when God invites us into his family, we’re no longer primarily defined by our geographical and ethnic connections.

“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour 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.” (Philippians 3:20-21)

We’re now citizens of heaven. Heaven is living in close relationship with God the Father now and forever. As Christians, we long for the day when God will bring in his new creation when the curse of sin, death and pain will end. Paul also reminds us in his letter to the Romans that creation at the moment is groaning as it waits. So many of us felt the weight even more so during the global pandemic when we were heavily restricted from seeing our families, especially those of us who were far away from home. Through Jesus, we are given a better home and better promises. And this is good news for longing hearts today.

Heavenly Father, thank you that our citizenship is in heaven. Thank you for Jesus and the rights and privileges he gives us to be your children. Help us to remember that he is the better hope for our present and future. We look forward to the day when he will return and will transform our bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Amen.