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 3:20-21, NASB)

Devotion 12 of 24

JESUS CHRIST, THE SUPREME EXAMPLE

Some affirm it is possible to be so heavenly minded you are of no earthly good -- that it is possible to be so spiritual, all practical utility among men is lost. The utter absurdity of this delusion is seen in a proper consideration of the Lord Jesus. While He was by no means a hermit, His mind and heart remained in constant fellowship with the Father. In one of His poignant testimonies He said, "And the One who sent Me is with Me; He has not left Me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to Him" (John 8:29).

When it came to working, He only did what He saw His Father doing. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner" (John 5:19, NKJV). When He spoke, He only said what His Father told Him to say. "For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak" (John 12:49-50, NKJV).

Jesus did not allow anything to overshadow the Father. He maintained an acute awareness of the Divine agenda. This is what made Him effective! This is the reason He frequently left the multitudes to give Himself to prayer--sometimes all night vigils of prayer (Matt 14:23; Mark 1:35; 6:46; Luke 5:16; 6:12; John 18:2). His soul could only be nourished from the homeland! "This present evil world" constituted a drain upon His spirit. He was "straitened," "distressed," and "constrained" while in the world (Luke 12:50, KJV, NASB, RSV). This condition was owing to His home being in heaven. That is where He came from, and that is where He belonged. When His work was completed here, He returned to the homeland. He was not of this world. The abrasiveness of the lower realm was highlighted by His heavenly- mindedness.

John Bunyan, author of Pilgrim's Progress, once said, "You can tell the spiritual condition of a person by how much he shudders at the word 'world.'"

Think of our Lord's confrontation with Pilate. Referring to the entire scope of His work, He said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36). This is true of His Kingdom in all of its aspects! As soon as this world controls the thinking of individuals, they move away from participation in the Kingdom of Christ. His grace, guidance, and power are for those who have been "transferred" into His kingdom (Col 1:13). If, however, a person chooses to be dominated by "this present evil world," he moves outside the circumference within which Divine benefits are provided.

The growth of the "holy Child" Jesus accentuated His basic affinity with the Father and heaven, and the subordinate association of the world in its most favorable posture. "And the Child continued to grow and become strong, increasing in wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him . . . And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men" (Luke 2:40,52). The Divine overview of Jesus' advancement defined the type of growth honored in heaven: "increasing in wisdom." The resources required to achieve this growth were not found in human disciplines or the rules of the Law under which He was born (Gal 4:4). Rather, it was owing to "the grace of God" which was "upon Him." The growth of the "Child" accented the heavenly perspective. "Wisdom" first, then "stature." "Favor" with God first, then "man."

Jesus encapsulated the matter in these succinct words, spoken to His enemies. They set the tone for His mission and ministry, as well as ours! "You are from beneath; I am from ABOVE. You are of this world; I am NOT of this world" (John 8:23, NKJV).

PRAYER POINT: Father, I know that Your eternal purpose is to conform me to the image of Your Son. I also realize this cannot be done if my attention is toward the world. In the name of Jesus, I ask for grace to keep a heavenly focus.

-- Tomorrow: DIVINE IMPLICATIONS --