Citizenship (2 Corinthians 5:20; Philippians 1:27; 3:20; Mathew 6:10)

Often companies send delegates or representatives to various functions or, to purchase products, for example, for the company, and those representatives have authority, within limits, to carry out what is deemed the will or directive of the company, to buy what is necessary, for the company, to market and to promote their business.

In addition, governments have delegates or representatives, that promote their interests, on the world stage, both for trade and to come into various agreements, that they believe will offer strategic benefit and advantage for the country that they represent; always within the authority that has been given to them.

2 Corinthians 5:20 refers to us as "ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we beg you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" [KJV].

We are literally the direct representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, and speak, as though God, Himself were speaking, to bring people to Christ. We speak for God and represent Him, through Christ, in this world.

Another aspect of this is found in the letter to the Philippians. Augustus recognized the strategic position and potential influence of Philippi, being on a major trade route, with both people, products and various commodities, flowing through the city on a daily basis. To secure loyalty and Roman longevity in the region, Augustus not only granted citizenship to the residents of the city, a very prestigious and sought after privilege at the time, but also relocated retired military personnel to the city, who comprised, according to one estimate, as much as 40% of the population. These military personnel became the leaders of the city, not only promoting absolute loyalty to Rome, but ensuring a strong military presence, under the direction of Rome.

In Philippians 1:27, Paul, by the Spirit of God makes a direct reference to this unique Roman status when the scriptures say, "...let your conversation be as it becomes the gospel of Christ...". The word 'conversation', in the Greek is (politeuomai), 4176, a verb, and part of the word group from which the English words 'politics' or 'political' are derived. It means to behave as a citizen, which is a direct allusion to the status of Philippi, but referencing the origin and association of the Believer with the heavenly city, of which they are a member.

To paraphrase, the scripture states, "...let your citizenship, of the spiritual city of heaven, be demonstrated by the fact that you live the good news, evident in your life..."

Again, Philippians 3:20 says, "For our conversation is in heaven, from which also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ". The word 'conversation' here is (politeuma), 4175, which is the noun, and only used here in all of scripture. This again declares the fact that we are citizens of the heavenly city, though living on earth.

The application though, is that, though living in Philippi, as Roman citizens, they were not an oppressed, subjugated people, but rather, they were a strong military people, who ran the city, just as though they were in Rome, and all the customs, laws, and standards of behavior, were all as though living in Rome herself. They governed themselves as they should, as Roman citizens, and protected and promoted the interests of Rome.

We, as Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, are not meant to passively accept an 'escape theology', holding out until the end, but rather, we are to protect and promote and demonstrate, the will and rule of the heavenly city of which we are citizens, expanding His kingdom interests, and echoing how He taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as (it is) in heaven" (Matt.6:10).

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours