The Long End & Your Citizenship

Good Morning,

But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Phil. 3:20

In the Apostle Paul’s time the Roman empire cast a shadow over a vast region. Over the centuries it had grown from a small Italian city to control land throughout Europe across the Balkans to the Middle East and into North Africa.

In fact, Philippi was itself a Roman colony. A Roman colony was a pretty amazing place. Colonies were established in strategic military locations and spread across great distances.  Roadways across hills and valleys were built to provide military access and expand Rome’s reach.

A very important characteristic of these colonies was that wherever they were located they remained facsimiles of Rome (mini-Rome’s). Roman dress was worn. Citizens spoke the Latin tongue. Roman customs were observed. Roman magistrates governed them. Roman justice was administered. Roman morals were observed. Colonies remained unshakably and unwaveringly Roman.

For Paul, his heavenly citizenship fueled in him an all-encompassing desire to live with the long end of the rope in mind. Like life for a Roman citizen, heavenly citizenship leaves no facet of life untouched. It resulted in Paul’s complete submission to Christ. His life was fueled by the pursuit of Jesus Himself. It wasn’t fueled by just doing the right things or by not doing the wrong things. Neither was it merely a pursuit of religious activity for that will wear you out. It was instead a relentless pursuit to know Christ more fully and to reflect Him more completely. It marked every aspect of his being.

In verse 17 of Philippians 3 Paul encourages us to follow his example. “Brothers and sisters, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.”  He instructs us not out of arrogance but rather because he knows that living this way will bring us a full and abundent life; one that will make an eternal difference. It will result in a life that endures difficulty, shines brightly in the darkness, exhibits grace and humility to others, experiences indescribable peace, and approaches the present with ultimate future in mind.

As a Roman citizen your life, your conduct, your priorities, and your daily living were all shaped by your citizenship as a Roman.  It was clear and obvious to all.  Is your heavenly citizenship shaping your life in the same way? 

Questions to ponder this week:

1.    Over the last week to how has my life reflected my heavenly citizenship?

2.    To what extent is my life marked by a relentless pursuit of Jesus?

Live on purpose, Ron Klopfenstein, CPLC