Citizenship

Citizenship
Originally uploaded by auntjojo

In Philippians 3.19-20, Paul contrasts those whose minds are on earthly things with those whose citizenship is in heaven. It seems that Paul is telling us that as Christians we are to look up to heaven and away from this earth. We are to live in the spiritual realm rather than in the reality of this world. And yet vs. 21 promises not that we will be released from this world and these bodies, but that these bodies of ours will be transformed, made like God's glorious body. Citizenship in heaven is not an escape from this world, but rather a transforming of this world into God's likeness. Lent can be a time when we try to flee this world. We deny ourselves. We withdraw into a season of inward repentance and reflection. While these are important aspects of Lent. They are not meant to be an escape. Rather they are meant to free us so that we can live our heavenly citizenship in this world. We are to bring the kingdom into the here and now. How can we live more fully as citizens of heaven during this Lenten season?