A passport identifies a person as a citizen of a particular country, entitling them to certain rights or privileges. In Philippians 3:20-21, Paul says that our citizenship is in heaven. As Christians, we should consider ourselves resident aliens here on the earth (cf. Heb 11:13; 1 Pet 2:11). We are looking to heaven, because we await the return of Jesus Christ, who will take us to be with him. When he does so, he will transform our frail, sin-wracked bodies into perfect, sin-free bodies like his own.I was puzzling over the significance of these verses in relationship to the larger context. In verse seventeen, Paul commands the Philippians to follow his example and live in a Christ-focused way, as he describes in verses 2-16. Many have failed to follow his example and do not live in this way, instead living as enemies of the cross of Christ (v. 18). Because of their self-centered and wicked life, they can expect eternal punishment and destruction (v. 19). They have lived their existence on this earth for their own pleasure and comfort. They are citizens of this earth in every sense of the word. This life is all they care for: "You only go around once!"
In contrast to them, we are citizens of heaven, living here on earth only temporarily. The difference in our futures could not be more stark. The dividing line is the gospel: on the one hand are the enemies of the cross of Christ, on the other, those who are saved and glorified by Jesus Christ. It is the gospel that makes the difference. This is why we must live a life worthy of the gospel.
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