Phil. 3:20 – 21
Introduction
Some countries like Philippines, Canada, and New Zealand, allow people to have dual citizenship. Super rich people I heard has more than two passports and they can stay in country of their choice. Sometimes they cannot even make up their mind as to which place they are going to stay permanently. Such a privilege which belongs only to few people makes us sometimes jealous. We Christians however, are better.
I. Meaning of the word “conversation”
A. It means heavenly citizenship, or citizens of the heavenly world, in contradistinction from a worldly community
B. It does not mean oral discourse or oral communication.
II. Christians or saved people are aliens here
A. We are living here on earth but the truth is we re heavenly citizen. We belong to heaven, and that’s the most wonderful thing to know. We have dual citizenship also. One earthly and one heavenly which is better than any other.
B. During the time of Paul, Roman citizenship makes somebody more privileged than any other people. It’s just like a US citizen now.
C. We have an amazing future no matter what misfortune we have now in this life, because heavenly home gives us a bright hope of eternal happiness beyond our wildest dream and imagination.
D. Peter writes that we are strangers and pilgrims here (1 Pet. 2:11). Paul tells us that we are to set our affections to things above not on things here on the earth (Col. 3:2). No wonder he tell us also that God made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 2:6).
E. How may he be distinguished from citizens of the world.
- We are spiritual not carnal. As much as possible, we avoid the works of the flesh listed in Gal. 5:19-21.
a. Galatians 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
b. Contrast it with the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
c. Outwardly ladies should wear their dress modestly. No miniskirts or provocative clothing that would arouse the interest opposite sex.
d. Our language should be decent. We must avoid foul languages such as the “f” words.
e. By his works. We are supposed to serve the Lord, worship Him, giving thanks, supporting the Lord’s work, and do good for others.
f. By his constant communications with his city. That is by praying without ceasing.
F. My Thompson Chain Reference Bible gives several advantages of having heavenly citizenship.- It is a source of real joy – Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
- Assures future exaltation – Luke 22:30 That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
- Promises a place of permanent residence – John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
- Furnishes an undying hope – Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
- Provides glorious inheritance – 1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
- A register is kept of the names the citizens – Revelation 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Illustration/Application:
As heavenly citizens we represent heaven not only after death but now. We are in world but not of the world. Our values are not worldly as compared to the false teachers and their followers whose god is their belly and who mind earthly things (Phil. 3:19). It’s a shameful thing for a Christian to be seen on the streets drinking, gambling, and womanizing. We let our light shine for them to see. We must obey heavenly laws like abstaining from fleshy lusts, which war against the soul (1 Pet. 2:11). Contrast Galatians 5:19-21 with Gal. 5:22-24.
III. We look for the Saviour
A. Look here means wait. (expect fully)
B. We need to focus on His coming and remove our attention on other things.
C. Other expositors write “eagerly await”, for our Saviour. Why?
1. We don’t know when Christ our Lord is coming. Mt. 25:13; Mk. 13:33. Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh. Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.
2. The Imminence of His return. Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
3. The Children of Light will not sleep. 1Thess. 5:5-6. Be watchful. Always alert in spiritual things, live righteous lives according to the Word of God. 1 Thessalonians 5:5-6 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
4. Reward is promised to those who patiently waits. Lk. 12:37, Rev. 22:12. Luke 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Revelation 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
5. Do you eagerly wait and anticipate seeing Jesus? Are you really in love with the Lord Jesus? Do you long to see Him? Is he just a nuisance that disturbs your plans in your life and activities? Jesus should be the most important person and the center of our life.
Illustration: Christ’s Second Coming
Biblical prophecy provides some of the greatest encouragement and hope available to us today. Just as the Old Testament is saturated with prophecies concerning Christ’s first advent, so both testaments are filled with references to the second coming of Christ. One scholar has estimated that there are 1,845 references to Christ’s second coming in the Old Testament, where 17 books give it prominence. In the 260 chapters of the New Testament, there are 318 references to the second advent of Christ—an amazing 1 out of every 30 verses. Twenty-three of the 27 New Testament books refer to this great event. For every prophecy in the Bible concerning Christ’s first advent, there are 8 which look forward to His second!
IV. Glorification
A. The Lord Jesus Christ will complete our salvation in its future sense of glorification.
B. This involves changing our outward appearance, i.e., our present physical body that is still subject to sin, fatigue, age, sickness, and death.
C. This transforming will result in a “glorified body” which is like the resurrection body of our Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18, 1 Cor. 15:52, Lk. 24:39).
1. 1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
2. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
D. It will be a deathless, disease less, sinless, indestructible, heavenly and for spiritual world.
E. This change will happen in the rapture of the living believers and the resurrection of those believers who died earlier.
F. The change will be effected by Christ’s omnipotence.
G. For those unsaved, they will never have a glorified body
Illustration: Twinkling of an eye.
The average duration for a single blink of a human eye is 0.1 to 0.4 seconds, or 100 to 400 milliseconds, according to the Harvard Database of Useful Biological Numbers. For purposes of comparison, the tick sound made by a clock lasts about one second. So it would be possible to blink three times during a single tick of a clock. Evidently there is nothing else in this present world comparable in rapidity to this miraculous event. Probably even we who are waiting for this to happen will also be caught by surprise due to its speed.
V. Conclusion
Truly, real Christians are citizens of heaven. We must wait patiently for the coming of the Lord who will change our vile body into a glorious body like His. Trust in Christ now and be a citizen of heaven.
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