If you are a Christian, you are not a citizen of this world trying to get to heaven; you are a citizen of heaven making your way through this world.

Vance Havner

The apostle Paul states in his letter to the Philippians that our citizenship is in heaven. We are not home here. We are passing through. We are making our way through foreign territory. This is not our home. How, then, are we to live as we pass through?

I have been privileged to go on several mission trips outside the United States. In preparing for each one, we were given materials containing information about common customs in the countries we would be visiting. We were told that some things that are common practices in the US were thought to be offensive in the country we were visiting, and that we should refrain from engaging in those activities. We also were encouraged to learn some basic sentences so that we might be able to communicate in the most elementary of ways. We were going there as visitors – just passing through.

One extremely important point was drilled into us as we prepared for our trips: The citizens of the country we were going to would, for the most part, develop their ideas about citizens of the US based on our conduct and behavior. They would stereotype all Americans by what they saw in us. We were to strive to be the best representatives of the US as possible.

But, more importantly, we were to be the best representatives of Jesus Christ as possible. After all, we were not going as emissaries of the US, but as ambassadors of Christ.

What I would like to suggest in this blog is that this should be true of us while are here, in the US, as citizens of this country. Even though we are American citizens, we are first and foremost citizens of heaven. Our lives should bear testimony to that reality and that relationship more than the fact that we are citizens of an earthly nation. I am a citizen of heaven. I am a child of the King. I am an ambassador for Christ. What people see in me will play a role in their understanding of who Jesus Christ is, and what it means to be His child, and a citizen of His kingdom.

The Bible is replete with invaluable information and instruction on how citizens of heaven should live as they pass through this life on their way to heaven. We should strive to never engage in any activity, behavior, or lifestyle that would bring reproach to Jesus Christ. We are to be diligent students of His teachings, avid followers of His example, and dedicated, consecrated representatives of His kingdom. The citizens of this world are in desperate need of seeing genuine, sincere, born-again, Bible-believing Christians who are serious about being the best representatives of Jesus Christ possible.

We are sojourners, passing through. Don’t settle down. Don’t fit in. Don’t drive the stakes down too deeply. Don’t get comfortable. Don’t compromise with the cultural, societal, and traditional practices of a fallen world. Live like a citizen of your heavenly home. Live like a child of the King.

Until next time;

Blessings!