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Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 3:17-21

When people in one nation move permanently to another nation in the modern world, there is often a clash of cultures. Old customs and behaviors have to be evaluated, and often changed, in order to fit in with one's new neighbors.

Christians in this world experience a clash of cultures as well. Before becoming a Christian, the values and mores of this world seemed normal and acceptable (in varying degrees). But when a person is born again into the kingdom of God, he becomes a resident of a new "nation" with a different set of "customs and standards." And there is an immediate and increasing clash of cultures while living on earth. The Christian is challenged to live in this world without being of this world (John 17:14-16).

The apostle Paul put it in terms of citizenship: "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). Citizenship implies governance and responsibility. As citizens of heaven, Christians have a higher obligation than to earthly civil rulers. While we are bound to be submissive to them as long as their requirements do not contradict the laws of the kingdom of God (Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1-7), if there is a conflict between earthly and heavenly laws we are bound to obey heaven's laws.

Our tenure on earth is temporary. Even the oldest of the Old Testament saints understood that they were just "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). And the apostle Peter confirmed that is still the case today (1 Peter 2:11). Paul wrote that "this world is passing away" (1 Corinthians 7:31), but Peter reminds us of our "inheritance . . . that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for [us]" (1 Peter 1:4).

Once we reach our eternal heavenly home there will be no more cultural conflicts. Heaven's values will fill the new earth for all to enjoy (Revelation 21:1).

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