“Their destiny is destruction, their God is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But 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.” Philippians 3:19-21
Christians who think the most of the next world are usually those who are doing the most good in this present world. It is the person whose mind is only on earthly things who, when it comes to earth, does little good. C.S. Lewis expands on this, saying, “Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.”*
Our verse today highlights what happens when your heart and mind is set on things above. Unlike the person whose mind is on earthly things, you begin to see yourself as a sojourner, a pilgrim on earth. You begin to appreciate your citizenship in heaven. You also begin to eagerly await the Lord’s return, and you anticipate the joy of having Him transform your body into one like His.
Those whose destiny is destruction may say that being so heavenly minded makes you no earthly good. Not so! Those whose minds are on heaven do earth a world of good.
When you realize that your citizenship is in heaven, you begin acting as a responsible citizen should. You begin to invest wisely in relationships. Your conversations, goals, and motives become more pure and honest, and all of this serves you well not only in heaven but on earth. Heavenly minded people are for earth’s highest good.
Help me to understand, Lord, what it truly means to have my citizenship in heaven. And may I act as a heavenly citizen should while I temporarily reside here on earth.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends
*Draper, Edythe, Draper’s Book of Quotations for the Christian World, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois, 1992, p. 305.
