Devotional:Citizenship in Heaven:Philippians 3

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:14, NASB).

It is a law of nature. Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time. If our hand is filled with cookies we cannot use the same hand to pick up the cup of milk. The baby must learn to navigate the cookies and the milk. In like manner, we cannot reach a future goal if we are holding fast to what we have already. If you want to live a care free single life, don’t get married. Otherwise, the marriage will not be satisfying; likely to fail and end in divorce. You have to let go of some things to take hold of a new thing. When we decide to become a disciple of Jesus Christ we decide to let go of our old ways of living in order to live according to the teaching and commandments of Jesus. Our goals change and we encounter new challenges that require new behaviors.

Paul writes to the church at Philippi from a prison cell. He writes to thank the church for their support of the ministry. He writes to encourage them to continue in the faith even though they face challenges both in the church and from opposition outside the church. The members will need to relinquish some of their personal privileges in order that they can give needed support to one another in the church. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves” (Phil. 2:3, NASB). Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.

In chapter three Paul uses his own life as an example of what it means to give up one thing so that one can take hold of something better. In 3:1-6 Paul describes his pedigree as a Jew before he was arrested by Jesus on the road to Damascus (See Acts 9:1-9). Now Paul sits in a prison cell because he considers the prize that Jesus is calling him to more valuable. Suffering imprisonment is worth the prize that Jesus has for him.

Most church folk are much like Paul. They want citizenship in heaven (v. 20) where they have the prize of eternal life and all of the benefits. Even non believers find the prize to be of great value. The question for both Christian and non Christian is this. Are you willing to let go of what you have and take hold of something new? Are you willing to let go of yourself and take hold of Jesus Christ?

Prayer: Jesus, I surrender all to you with hope of living with you forever. Amen