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Citizen of another Kingdom
Rod ShimabukuroBut our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21]who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21
Paul opens ch. 3 with a call to joy and then gives his position for making such a claim. The power of losing yourself to gain Jesus is where true joy is found. Joy is not found in the list of accomplishments, educational, degrees, positions/titles we may attain or be pursuing.
Our lives are based on...knowing Christ, to gain Christ, being found in Him, faith in Christ, righteousness in Him, power of His resurrection, sharing in His suffering, like Him in death, attain resurrection from the dead, Christ made me His own so I can press on toward the goal, the upward call which is all how the mature should think. So we hold to what we’ve attained in Him.
Through Paul, the Holy Spirit shifts our focus to the truth of v. 20-21. Again a contrast of earthly, lowly bodies to a glorious transformed one. We are citizens of another kingdom with another King. I serve my Lord Jesus!
WOW GOD! I want to live differently!! I should live differently! I’m called to live differently - but not by my own efforts to try and be more holy, for I am holy in Him. There’s a decision God has given me to choose to live as a citizen of another kingdom for another King. I want to live for Jesus, with all my heart, soul, mind and strength! What does this look like?
Today, it will look like sacrifice when I’m pressed to get things done. When my character is challenged by another’s irritable statements or when I feel like another person is favored more than I. Today, I choose to believe, know and live... for another King - JESUS!
Dear King Jesus!
I submit my loyalties to You. I want to honor You with all my inner thought, motives and ask You to forgive me along the way, as I stumble through my emotions, feelings and thoughts of the flesh. You are My KING - forever!
