CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself." (Philippians 3:17-21, NASB)

Devotion 1 of 24

INTRODUCTION

What is the stance of believers in this world? What are their primary interests? Where is their focus? The professed Christian world has provided us a variety of answers to these questions. Have we not all heard one of the following emphasized in the name of the Lord: (1. The family, (2. A satisfying career, (3. Evangelism, (4. World missions, (5. Personal health, (6. Financial prosperity, (7. Having "fun," and (8. Having impressive credentials.

The hedonists have elevated sensual pleasure to the throne. The existentialist vaunts personal experience above everything else. Those in the grip of institutional fervor consider the growth and maintenance of the organization of primary concern. Others view the fleshly body of first importance. What shall we say of these things?

The modern church has grown tolerant, and even supportive, of many of these distorted objectives. A conglomeration of associate ministers has been hired to ensure the self-diagnosed needs of all the people are being met. We now have specialists in youth, singles, divorce, seniors, etc. Structures related to the church are no longer primarily for gathering together to hear the Word of the Lord and engage in praise to our God. We now have family centers, equipped with everything from handball courts and aerobic centers, to gymnasiums and swimming pools. Sadly, the professed church has now been wedded to the world, and the world is her wedded name. Her primary abode is this world, and she aims to do it comfortably.

It is certainly not fashionable to speak like this. It is considered negative by the religious professionals, and counterproductive in the quest to put specific religious institutions on the map. Notwithstanding, this is something with which men and women of faith must come to grips. There is nothing in the Word of God about such efforts--and that for a reason. It was certainly not because there were no such activities in early times. There have always been those who emphasized physical fitness, dietary exactness, and other special interests. The body of Christ, however, is not charged with the responsibility of providing for the social addictions of people. It is the "pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15). The church is the appointed means of orienting people for "the world to come," and is the custodian of the truth of God, which is the means of accomplishing that orientation.

Presently, the people of God are identified with heaven. Their names are written there (Luke 10:20; Heb 12:23), their Father is there (Matt 6:9; 1 John 5:7), and their Intercessor faithfully ministers to them from there (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25). Think of it, our inheritance is in heaven (1 Pet 1:4).

Our primary association is with heaven, not the world! These are matters that are evident to faith, even though they have eluded the religious masses. Great men and women of God throughout the centuries have acknowledged this world was not their home. That has always been the case! Believers of old time, we are told, "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Heb 11:13). Jesus said he was not of the world, nor were those He chose to follow Him (John 15:19; 17:14,16).

This series of devotions will explore the fundamental relationship of those in Christ with heaven. It will affirm that relationship is primary, and that all other relationships are, at the very best, secondary. It will asseverate that there is nothing about God, Christ, the Scriptures, or salvation that contributes to at-homeness in this "present evil world" (Gal 1:4).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus Christ, help me to become more familiar with heaven and heavenly things than with this present world.

-- Tomorrow: ENEMIES OF THE CROSS --