*Life in the present is motivated and directed by a finely tuned awareness of the values and priorities of our future home. We live in real anticipation of that moment when our Redeemer appears and “we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2).
Our citizenship in heaven means that God has “delivered us from the power of darkness” and has “conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love” (Colossians 1:13). This defines our meaning and purpose. We who are in Christ have clear and accurate answers to the questions of life: “Who am I?”, “Why am I here?” and “Where am I going?”
We are now designed and equipped for kingdom productivity. We align our motives and approaches to life with kingdom values and objectives (Matthew 6:33). “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit” (John 15:8).
Whether you are a homemaker, a line worker, a student, a salesman, or an executive, if you are ruled by the Lord Jesus Christ, four specifics about your life have been radically defined:
Who you serve. Now, instead of living for yourself, you recognize other people in your life as broken image-bearers in whom you can graciously invest yourself instead of viewing them as obstacles to your success. In every aspect of life, you serve Jesus Christ.
How you define success. An accurate understanding of success begins with “Why?”. You were created to know God and enjoy Him. When you realize this purpose, you recognize your success in terms of Kingdom productivity. Your success is the fruit you produce by investing in other people’s lives and helping them grow toward God.
Where you place your focus. No longer are you focused on merely eking out a living, doing everything possible to avoid pain, gain pleasure, and maintain reasonable comfort with minimal risk. Your focus, rather, is placed on pleasing the One who will greet you face-to-face upon His return.
Your specific role. Your role is no longer that of being a competitor to become one of the surviving fittest. Now, as a resident alien, you are an ambassador for the King – entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18). Our heavenly citizenship also has physical implications. “Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” (Romans 6:13).
We experience corporeal realities that are inescapable – pain, suffering, disease, and death. We live in an earthly tent that groans for redemption (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). For now, we endure the weak nature of the fleshly tent, but we can confidently anticipate the return of Jesus “who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” (Philippians 3:21).
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* From my book, SURPASSING WORTH: Contemplating the Unmatched Privilege of Knowing Jesus Christ, pp.142-146
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