We’ve spent some time thinking about our true citizenship. Paul says that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). That reality has implications for the lives we are leading right now.

The ancient city of Philippi was a Roman colony. Rome had tonnes of people, including retired soldiers. The city was too small to support all its potential residents. They already had to import food. 

This is one of the reasons they made colonies. But this arrangement wasn’t just to benefit Rome, but Philippi. N.T. Wright explains: “The point about Philippi being a colony of Rome was not that the citizens would go back to Rome one day, but that (so it was hoped) they would bring the benefits of Roman citizenship to Philippi.”*

Do you see where I’m going with this?

Since we are citizens of heaven, we have an opportunity to bring the benefits of heavenly citizenship to our communities and country. 

When you are faithful to God’s word, you are bringing heaven home—because that’s what your true King and homeland are like. 

When you serve or love others, you are bringing heaven home—because that’s what your true King and homeland are like. 

When you are a person of integrity and truth, you are bringing heaven home—because that’s what your true King and homeland are like. 

Not only does this bless you, but it blesses the people around you.

Do you need some fresh motivation for your day to day life? If so, maybe this is for you. Since we are citizens of heaven, we have an opportunity to bring the benefits of heavenly citizenship to our communities and country. 

Let’s think, talk and act in a way that brings heaven home.

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Notes:

–“There is Ugliness (a prayer).” Click here or listen on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ or wherever you subscribe (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

–*N.T. Wright, Simply Good News: Why the Gospel is news and what makes it good (New York: HarperOne, 2015), 94.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.