Avizandam In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters. Avise endum I recently read that Christian citizenship is in heaven. but that citizenship is meant to be lived here and now on earth. Uh That seems strange.
In heaven and on earth are the same? The writer went on to say, Heaven is where Jesus reigns, and Christians wait for him to bring healing, justice, a new creation, not to abandon the earth. The writer was referencing Philippians 3 verse 20, which reads But our citizenship is in heaven and from it we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
So I find his comments at best misleading. Is Paul writing that our citizenship is in heaven, but that citizenship is lived on earth? I suspect the writer is a post-millennialist who believes. that the church is going to usher in the kingdom of God on earth. And then the Lord Jesus returns.
Meantime our citizenship in heaven is here on earth. That's what the writer seems to be saying. But is that what Paul is saying? In Philippians 3, verse 20? I don't think so.
Paul expressly says that our citizenship is in heaven. And from it, that is from heaven, we await a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. then our lowly body will be transformed to be like Christ's glorious body. Clearly we are citizens of a particular country. In my case, the United States of America.
If our citizenship is in heaven, Why would Paul really mean it is on earth? Is there no difference between our citizenship in heaven? And our citizenship on earth? Through the grace of God, In addition to my citizenship on earth, that is my U.S. citizenship.
I have another citizenship which will last for ever. It is not on earth, but it is in heaven, and from there our Savior will come. and transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body.
Now, as a US citizen, I obey the laws of the US and also seek to portray the fruit of the Spirit to an unbelieving world.
However, As Christians, our goal is not to Christianize the world and so usher in the kingdom of God. Our Saviour commends us to make disciples of all the nations, And throughout the New Testament, We are encouraged to wait for our blessed hope. the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That's Titus two verse thirteen. Jesus is coming from heaven to earth to take us to heaven, where our eternal citizenship is.
Peter describes believers in Christ as elect exiles. That's 1 Peter 1 verse 1. and sojourners and exiles, CHAPTER two VERSE eleven These terms do not suggest that we're presently citizens of heaven on earth. We're exiles. were pilgrims seeking the city which is to come.
John in Revelation writes that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. that will be accomplished not by our endeavours on this present earth, But by our Lord Jesus Christ, when he returns with power and glory. When Jesus announced to his disciples that he was going to leave them, he explained, He was returning to my father's house. He was leaving this present earth and returning to heaven. his father's house.
But he would come again and take his disciples from earth to their home in heaven with himself. That where I am, as Jesus says, you may be also. That's John fourteen, verses one through four.
So we await our Saviour from heaven. who will take us to be where he is. When the Lord Jesus comes, those who are alive on earth will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Paul writes to the Thessalonians, and so. We will always be with the Lord.
We will then be at home. in a house not made with hands. but one which is eternal In the heavens. At home, with the Lord, as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5, verse 1.
So I encourage you to live as good citizens on this earth. displaying and proclaiming our Lord Jesus Christ. But let's always remember that our permanent citizenship is in heaven. and may we continue to do what the Thessalonians did, They turn to God from idols. to serve the living and true God.
and to wait for his Son from heaven. Whom he raised from the dead, Jesus. who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1, verses 9 and 10. And all of us say, who love Jesus, even so come.
Lord Jesus. Avazandam. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is senior pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms.
For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.
