It does seem that our country is increasingly a house divided. Hostility seems to exist on most every issue and subject, and the lack of civility between groups is seen in both the profanity-laced language that is employed as well as the high decibels that are emitted. It is all quite wearisome. As a citizen of the United States, it is discouraging to observe. But as a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is great encouragement when we reflect on the fact that we hold dual citizenship. There is, perhaps, a need today to refocus on that fact that we are citizens of heaven. It is that kingdom which will replace all the kingdoms of man on this earth, when King Jesus returns to this earth suddenly and forcefully establishes His reign. The Apostle Paul lived with a heightened sense of the reality of citizenship in this second kingdom. His thoughts need to be our thoughts.
THE “COLONY” OF HEAVEN’S KINGDOM ON EARTH. This truth was shared with the believers at Philippi. In Philippians 1:27, he wrote: “Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” and in 3:20 he said: “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” In Colossians 1:13, he reminded that group of believers that “He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.”
In Philippians 1:27 the word translated “conduct yourselves” (“politeuo” from which we get our word “politics”)translates a word which literally meant “live as citizens”. This would have had significant meaning to the people of Philippi. The city of Philippi was made a Roman “colony” by Augustus Caesar. So, Philippi was more than just a city in Macedonia. Being a Roman colony meant it had special privileges and special responsibilities. The citizens of Philippi took it all very seriously and they wanted to represent Rome favorably there in Macedonia, and so, Philippi was a little bit of Rome transferred over to Macedonia. The point Paul is making is that we are a colony of heaven’s kingdom here on earth. As citizens of Christ’s kingdom, we are to live and behave in a way that represents our King. Like the citizens of Philippi, we believers are to take this all very seriously. And Paul adds that we are to “stand firm” which indicates that there will be opposition in doing this.
LIVING NOW WHILE ANTICIPATING THE COMING KINGDOM FROM HEAVEN. This coming kingdom has a fixed origin; that is, its origin is heaven. It will be manifested on earth, however, when the King Himself comes. We are presently citizens of this commonwealth and, as such, have obligations. We are not to “set our minds on earthly things” (3:19), but rather to live according to the principles of the Lord Jesus Christ. The people of Philippi lived as colonists in Philippi while at the same time they were citizens of Rome. This is the pattern believers are to follow. Many of us are citizens of the United States, but we are also “colonists” living as citizens of the coming kingdom of Jesus Christ. This is our priority.
GREAT DAYS ARE AHEAD OF US. Philippians 3:20-21 teaches that when the Savior appears, there will be amazing changes that take place. At the Rapture event our physical bodies will be changed instantly (note 1 Cor. 15:51-53) and be made like the resurrection body of the Lord Jesus. These present bodies have had death in them from our very beginning, and they are constantly plagued by weakness and sickness. However, we will live in Christ’s kingdom with new resurrection bodies which will have His power. This means we will finally experience the glory and grandeur of sinlessness and bring all of life to the place that God originally intended for mankind. It is good to be a citizen of the kingdom from heaven.
UNTIL HE COMES. In the meantime, our focus must not be on the terrible dysfunction around us in this earthly citizenship. If it is, then a change is needed. Rather our focus must be on our second citizenship; that of being “colonists” of Christ’s kingdom while living on this earth. One of the ways, according to the Apostles Peter and Paul (Rom. 13:1-7; 1 Pet. 2:13-20) is to submit to human government obeying the laws of the land. Our first loyalty, of course, is to King Jesus, and normally, that will not bring us into conflict with human government. Both apostles are quite clear that our primary allegiance is to our heavenly citizenship.
It really is wearisome to observe what is going on around us. We probably will not have a great impact on the way people scream at each other using foul language, but we can refocus on “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27). Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have that dozen or so people around us in our circle of influence see our dual citizenship manifested?