Wednesday, February 5, 2014
EPIPHANY (AH HA!) MOMENTS = A CITIZEN OF ... WHERE?
What does it mean to you to be a citizen of the United States? Do you take your freedoms for granted? Such as the freedom of religion? Being citizens of this country may come at a price, however, at times. In a couple different countries I've been to, Americans are viewed as arrogant and lazy, prideful and obnoxious, unappreciative, and not content. In fact, foreigners express that the best part about Americans "is their wallets." In other words, the consensus in general is: we're good for business and that's about it.
If you have a minute longer, slow down to read these profound words from the Apostle Paul to the poor and dejected Christians in Philippi. He writes in 3:18-21, "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame -- who set their mind on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."
Are citizenship and membership different? The Apostle Paul also wrote to the Christians in Ephesus saying in 2:19-20, "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone ..." When it comes to our citizenship and membership in God's kingdom and family, is there anything more important? Jesus said that being members of His family, being His disciples, loving and following God's Word of truth, would bring hatred from the world (John 7:7; 15:18; 15:19; and 1 John 3:13). But what a wonderful truth that as members by faith in God's household of grace through Jesus Christ, we confess our citizenship is not of this world, but in heaven with Christ our Savior! So today will be a great day, as I remember my "citizenship is in heaven!"
