But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
4 Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Each person who reads this is a citizen of one country, or another, in the case of dual citizenship. For those of us who are U.S. citizens, it is that time again when we vote and wait to see who will be president. Partisan voters on both sides “await a savior”, who will save the country from its present division and decay. That is where these words from Paul to his partner church in Philippi come in. In their context, persecution was coming and Paul reminded them that their Roman colony was not the end of the matter. They were citizens of heaven, not with dual citizenship, but wholly his. That is why chapter 4 begins with, “therefore”. For that reason, they could stand firm in the fiercest storm, even an election.
And so can we. In our present context, actual persecution is not on the table, though it will soon be on the menu. Then it will be important to remember that we are citizens of heaven before we are American citizens because only our heavenly bill of rights affords us the right to eternal life, total liberty, and complete happiness. Then we can stand for the Heavenly anthem. Holy. Holy. Holy.
Dear Lord, thank you for the future kingdom when there will be no division or decay. May we vote for Jesus as King. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church