Word@Work Phil39 - Philippians 3:20-21
Published: Tue, 11/17/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Phil. 3:20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour 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. (NIV)
True Christians are only temporary residents on earth; but while they are here, they have already been accepted as citizens of heaven. In comparison with eternity, our lifespan is pitifully short, and so believers in Jesus ought to be focussing on Him. Because we belong to God's heaven (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to find out more), we should be investing in what Jesus will reward when He returns (see Matt 6:19-21).
In contrast with the world-lings around us who have no option but to set their minds on earthly things, and invent unreliable solutions to the world's corruption; we expect Jesus Christ to reveal Himself and exercise Kingly control one day. The first transformation He will make is to give us new bodies, like that of Jesus after His resurrection. Even those who have been long dead will be given physical bodies with which to rise (like Jesus did at the ascension), so that they can meet the Lord in the air (see 1 Thess 4:13-18). Those who are still alive when He comes will join those who have 'fallen asleep in Christ'.
The shackles which hold our sinful bodies to the pain and shame of this world, will be snapped, and the power of God will liberate the church first; and then the whole creation (see Rom 8: 18-23). If that is true, and it certainly is, what sort of people should we be (see 2 Peter 3:11-12). A heavenly perspective will also transform our daily ambitions as we live in the 'transit lounge' of earth. No longer will we need to keep proving how great we are at work, because we will want to proclaim the greatness of our Saviour. Our appetite for self-glory will diminish as we anticipate the privilege of sharing His glory. The proud, pushy assertion and the subtler manipulation which spoil business relationships, and serve no eternal purpose, can be discarded. Not only will Jesus be pleased, but your colleagues will be very grateful for a little taste of heaven as you start to live as though you are going there!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for the privilege of belonging to You and the Kingdom of Heaven. Help me to remember to live as a temporary resident in this world, not investing in my own honour but Your glory. And please help me to have a ready answer to those who ask me why I hold lightly to all this world offers. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
True Christians are only temporary residents on earth; but while they are here, they have already been accepted as citizens of heaven. In comparison with eternity, our lifespan is pitifully short, and so believers in Jesus ought to be focussing on Him. Because we belong to God's heaven (see www.crosscheck.org.uk to find out more), we should be investing in what Jesus will reward when He returns (see Matt 6:19-21).
In contrast with the world-lings around us who have no option but to set their minds on earthly things, and invent unreliable solutions to the world's corruption; we expect Jesus Christ to reveal Himself and exercise Kingly control one day. The first transformation He will make is to give us new bodies, like that of Jesus after His resurrection. Even those who have been long dead will be given physical bodies with which to rise (like Jesus did at the ascension), so that they can meet the Lord in the air (see 1 Thess 4:13-18). Those who are still alive when He comes will join those who have 'fallen asleep in Christ'.
The shackles which hold our sinful bodies to the pain and shame of this world, will be snapped, and the power of God will liberate the church first; and then the whole creation (see Rom 8: 18-23). If that is true, and it certainly is, what sort of people should we be (see 2 Peter 3:11-12). A heavenly perspective will also transform our daily ambitions as we live in the 'transit lounge' of earth. No longer will we need to keep proving how great we are at work, because we will want to proclaim the greatness of our Saviour. Our appetite for self-glory will diminish as we anticipate the privilege of sharing His glory. The proud, pushy assertion and the subtler manipulation which spoil business relationships, and serve no eternal purpose, can be discarded. Not only will Jesus be pleased, but your colleagues will be very grateful for a little taste of heaven as you start to live as though you are going there!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for the privilege of belonging to You and the Kingdom of Heaven. Help me to remember to live as a temporary resident in this world, not investing in my own honour but Your glory. And please help me to have a ready answer to those who ask me why I hold lightly to all this world offers. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
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