In July of 2012, our family loaded up all earthly possessions and immigrated to Canada to plant churches with the North American Mission Board. The first couple of years were really tough. It was nice to be able to easily drive back across the boarder when we needed a reminder of our homeland and all of the people who loved and supported us.

There were many reminders over the years that Canada was not our homeland. Although we grew to love the people and appreciate the beauty, history, and culture of the nation very much, we had left behind family, familiarity, and our own cultures. Many times, we would long to spend holidays with family or eat familiar foods or share some similarities in national holidays.

We were there 10 years before God brought us back to the US. A part of our hearts will always rest there with the people we loved and churches we were able to start.

However, it was a reminder to me that even though the US is our place of birth and we find comfort in familiarity, ultimately, as a child of God, heaven is my homeland.

It’s strange to long for a place that you’ve never been and could never imagine exactly what it will look or feel like. But all the same, the burdens and trials of this world get to be overwhelming and I find myself aching for a place of peace and rest. In the Presence of Jesus is where I belong!

Historical Background on Philippians 3

The apostle Paul is writing to his beloved Philippians from a prison in Rome. He had previously visited and started a church here on his second missionary journey (Acts 16). It is significant as it is the first Christian church established in Europe and was a hub for spreading the gospel since Philippi was along a major trade route between Rome and other port cities.

Specifically, Paul is writing to encourage this church. They gave monetary support to him on his third missionary journey and also sent a brother, Epraphroditus, to minister to him while he was in prison. He has great love and appreciation for the believers.

In chapter 3, Paul lists his resume. He talks of all the ways he could boast in the flesh as a Jewish leader and keeper of the Old Testament law. But, he admits that everything he once saw as important is now a loss and garbage. (Phil. 3:7-8)

Compared to knowing Jesus, the pursuit of anything else is worthless. He explains to the Philippians that their salvation doesn’t come through their own effort to keep a set of laws, but through Christ alone. This is what Paul strives for and encourages them to strive for: to live for nothing else but the truth of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. (Phil. 3:9-12)

How to Live as a Citizen of Heaven

Paul spends the rest of chapter 3 laying out how believers living in a sinful and troubled world can truly make their lives count as citizens of heaven. It is challenging, but also extremely freeing to think that when we live for Jesus, we are forgetting all that is behind and straining ahead for a goal that is perfect and the reward is eternity with Christ.

1. Live for Jesus (v.12-14)

 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 3:12-14 NIV

Paul did not want to live like he’d arrived. He knew that the Lord was still working on him and if he for a moment thought he didn’t need to be reminded of the truth of the gospel, he could easily start to try and live his life in the flesh.

It’s a temptation for all of us. We feel like we’ve been a believer for many years, read the same passages over and over, and start to feel “fully mature” in Christ. It’s dangerous to rely on our own experiences and wisdom and not look at ourselves as life long learners and servants of Christ Jesus.

Paul says, he has forgotten what is behind. He’s not focusing on past accomplishments or mistakes. Instead, he is pushing himself toward the goal of knowing Jesus more. He wants to “take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

Jesus saved him to have a relationship with him, to help him love others in His name, and to spend eternity with him. Paul knew that living for Jesus meant endeavoring to give all He had to know Jesus more and tell others about the saving power of Christ.

2. Live for Truth (v.15-16)

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.  Only let us live up to what we have already attained. -Philippians 3:15-16 NIV

The moment we are saved, we are giving the Holy Spirit to help and guide us. Through His power, we read and know the Bible better, we learn right from wrong, and we grow wise in the things of God.

Paul said that God will make it clear to us if we are not thinking and acting in line with His will. The way we get clarity and “live up to what we have already attained” is by searching the scriptures and praying for the truth to be daily revealed to us. God will show us if we are thinking differently and correct us by the truth of His word.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul states that, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The Lord Jesus said that “the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32 NIV)

3. Live as an Example (v.17-19)

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.  For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.-Philippians 3:17-19 NIV

Paul gives us two opposing examples of people living in this world:

A. Those who give up all to follow Christ and live His life in obedience to the gospel.

Paul says follow my example along with those who model the Christian walk as myself and the leaders who work with me. His way of living was evident. Paul gave up everything to be a light to give the message of the gospel to the Gentiles.

Paul suffered many things, but he also had blessings in Christ and new he had a rich reward awaiting him in heaven. He closes with this in chapter 4:  “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us as well. We have the privilege to follow the example of Jesus, Paul, and others who model the Christian walk so well. We also have the obligation to model the Christian walk for our children and other young women who are watching us.

B. The enemies of Christ who seek their own glory and who are destined for destruction.

Paul said he is telling them about these people “with many tears”. It is hard to know the truth and have others reject it. Paul knew that the message of the cross was life saving and because these people chose to go their own way and against God, they would be separated from Him in eternity.

God called us “to be holy“. This means that we should not look anything like those who are enemies of the cross. We should follow Paul’s example though, and weep and pray over them. Who knows that maybe our positive example with lead them faith in Jesus.

4. Live for Eternity (v.20-21)

 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,  who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. -Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

Our citizenship is in heaven!! This is exciting news. This world is not all there is, but wait there’s more. So much more and way better!

Paul reminds us that we live for eternity. We eagerly await the day that our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, welcomes us home. We also await the day when everything is under His perfect and sovereign control.

Then, we will be transformed to be like Him! We won’t sin, we won’t hurt, and all the old will pass away.

Living for eternity means that we fix our eyes on things above. We meditate on truth, pray continually, and seek peace and rest that is divine.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:1-4 NIV

Prayer Guide for Philippians 3

I think its super important that we always respond to scripture by prayer. There is always something praiseworthy, something to convict, something to ask of our Lord, and a way to commit ourselves by yielding to the truth of what has been declared.

Praise:

Jesus, I praise you for taking hold of me. You have saved me from sin and death. I thank you that you have called me a citizen of heaven and have a place prepared for me. You are worthy of my lifelong trust and devotion.

Repent:

Lord, forgive me when I fail to live in truth. I sometimes start to lean on my own understand or get swayed by the lies of the enemy. Thank you that your word makes clear to me how to walk in what is pleasing to you. Please keep me seeking your wisdom.

Ask:

God, I want to be a good example to those around me. I want to lead them to be closer to You. Teach me to be more like Jesus and less like the world. Keep me from the bad examples. May my life show evidence of your love and mercy.

Yield:

Heavenly Father, I give myself fully to you as a citizen of heaven. I will eagerly await Jesus and my reward in heaven. But until then, I will meditate on truth, pray continually, and seek to live in a way that honors you as my Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.