“For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20I have inserted the word “citizenship” for “conversation” in this verse. The Greek word politeuma (Strong's G4175) is defined as the administration of affairs of a community and by extension, a citizen of that community.
We are citizens of Heaven, even now while we abide here on earth. How did this happen?
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” – Titus 3:5“Regeneration” means to be reborn, or born again. Jesus said that we must be born again. (John 3:3) If we are spiritually born again, then we are children of God, the Most High, who is a spirit. A human being can kidnap us, but we remain a child of our earthly father. Likewise, once we are born again, we remain a child of our Heavenly Father.
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” – John 1:12-13
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” – Galatians 4:5-6Here is something never discussed. When, as a Christian, we were born again and we were translated into Heaven. Genesis 5:24 says that God took Enoch and he was no more. The writer of the Book of Hebrews tells us that Enoch was translated into Heaven. (Hebrew 11:5) What a blessing to be a child of God.
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” – Colossians 1:12-13
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” – Ephesians 2:5-6The Apostle Paul spoke of the treasure that we have in our earth-bound bodies.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels …” – Second Corinthians 4:7As Christians, we are “in Christ.” Jesus is now in Heaven. Spiritually, we are with him. We are citizens of Heaven. Brother David Reagan said that spiritually we are already in Heaven. We are only waiting for our bodies and souls to catch up with our spirits.
Oh, the untold blessings of being a child of God! Praise His name forever!