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 23 of 24

WHEN OUR CHANGE COMES

It is obvious that a "change" has to occur before we can fully enter the homeland. Right now, we have received a pledge of the coming inheritance in the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:23). He leads us in the work of subduing the flesh, which cannot inherit the kingdom of God. He also enables us to "abound in hope," anticipating the obtaining of the full blessing (Rom 15:13). Our sins have been forgiven, our spirits regenerated, and our names written in heaven. Now, we are waiting until our Lord returns, "Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil 3:21).

Our citizenship in heaven constrains us to anticipate the change! Salvation has uprooted us from this world, and planted us in the one to come. Until we enter that realm fully, our life is a "fight" to maintain the faith (1 Tim 6:12). As "strangers and pilgrims" in the world, we "abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul" (1 Pet 2:11). We run toward the goal with eyes fastened upon Jesus, "the Author and Finisher of our faith." Our vision of Jesus and consideration of the homeland compels us to "lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us" (Heb 12:1).

We know that "when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2-3). That will be the time of "the change"--an upward change or mobility that will fully adapt us for the homeland! This is the "change" Job longed for (Job 14:14). It is the "change" Paul proclaimed would occur at the resurrection of the dead (1 Cor 15:51-52). No more will we live in a tabernacle of clay, frail and disintegrating! No more tent! Then, the treasure received in salvation will be transferred to a "building of God, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor 5:1-2), no longer to be held in an "earthen vessel."

John associates the changing of our bodies with seeing the Lord Jesus Christ returning in glory. "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2, NASB). It is actually His glory that will change us. How wonderful it will be to be rid of this "vile body! " Being a citizen of heaven produces longings for our new frame. In fact, that is why God has "wrought us" (2 Cor 5:5).

Your citizenship in heaven makes the day of the Lord an advantage for you. That will be the day of ultimate blessing! Jesus will then "bring" the fulness of our salvation. Peter referred to this when admonishing us, "fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1 Pet 1:13). This is not an option for the people of God! "We are saved by hope" (Rom 8:24), i.e., we are able to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (sanctification) only in the anticipation of our completeness. The recollection that our citizenship is in heaven is a powerful motivation to complete the race. Without this persuasion, there is no guarantee that the race will be completed. The power of a living hope cannot be underestimated.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, I thank and praise You for the anticipation of a change that will find me fully conformed to the image of Your Son.

-- Tomorrow: A SIGN FOR GOOD --