This world is not our home!

Philippians 3:20

²⁰ But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In the preceding verses Paul talked about those who set their mind on earthly things. Some say that most people are more focused on earthly things than on eternal things.

Even in the church we do not always have an eternal perspective on life. Even though we believe that we go to heaven when we die, our view of life may be the same as a non-Christian.

If we adopt a perspective that focuses on this life, we will become cynical and discouraged.

This earthly life will always come up short.  We need more than this life and our earthly citizenships can offer.

We need to know that this world is not our home!

Our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20a)

Citizenship is a privilege, as it implies certain rights and privileges.  It also implies responsibilities.

The important question is whether our view of life, our focus and our expectations are in the first place determined by our earthly, or our heavenly citizenship.  

If the focus is on this life, becoming successful and chasing comfort and satisfaction, we will be disappointed. This view of life cannot carry us through our challenges.

As Christians, the hope of heaven defines our lives and our view of life on earth. We are citizens of heaven and we will spend eternity there. This idea excites us.

And as citizens of heaven we have the right to be called children of God, alive in Christ and protected and provided for by the Saviour whom we eagerly await to come and take care of us - now - and when he returns in glory!