We Are Citizens Of Heaven
BRD REFLECTIONS
Philippians 1 and Psalm 104:24-35 (NIV)
(Teo Kheng Hwa, Assistant Pastoral Care Zone 1 Leader, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
Philippians 1:20-22, 27-29 (NLT)
20For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. 22But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better.
27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News. 28 Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. 29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.
OBSERVE:
Paul wrote this letter to the Philippians while he was in prison in Rome. Despite his difficult circumstances, he testified to the Philippians that he was not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16 and in verse 20) and was confident that his life brought honor to Christ.
Most people in similar circumstances may be thinking of a way out, but Paul was probably at peace and ready to meet his Master (verse 21). Paul’s eternal perspective of being with Christ in heaven (verse 27, live as citizen of heaven) was his source of motivation, goal and reward, as he proclaimed the gospel.
Paul highlighted the importance for the Philippians to live as citizens of heaven, to be united in one spirit and one purpose, to stand firm in the faith, and to share the gospel despite oppositions or difficult situations. This is their privilege of trusting in Christ and of suffering for Christ.
APPLY:
I am so encouraged by Paul’s perseverance in the faith despite his circumstances. It speaks of his surrender to the Lord, his trust in God’s faithfulness, and his anchor on a God who is Sovereign. May I learn to surrender myself and my circumstances to the Lord, and to trust that He is walking beside me and in control of my situation.
May I learn to be bold for Christ daily, and to be used by Him to bring honor to His Name by staying in tune to the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding.
Above all, I must live as a citizen of heaven, conducting myself in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, and stand in one spirit and one purpose with fellow brothers and sisters, so that the people around me will be drawn to know Christ.
May I learn to comprehend the privilege of trusting in Christ and suffering for Christ in my life as I ponder Job 2:10 “Should I accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?”
DO:
God calls me to live as a citizen of heaven, to conduct myself in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. May the Holy Spirit help me to surrender wholeheartedly to God, as I live as a citizen of heaven to bring honour and glory to Christ daily. Let this be my prayer daily.
PRAY:
Father God, thank you for giving me the privileges of trusting in Christ and of suffering for Christ. Remind me of your faithfulness and your steadfast love when I doubt. Strengthen and encourage me when I suffer for your name. Help me to have an eternal perspective as I live each day as a citizen of heaven for your Name’s sake. Amen.
