Written by Drew Myers, senior MDiv student, and brought to you by the Kelso Museum of Near Eastern Archaeology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Scripture
Philippians 3:15-21
15 Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. 16 Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
17 Brothers and sisters,] join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. 18 For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.
Devotional
This world can be very attractive to us. Often we find our stomachs, minds, and hearts focused on earthly things, instead of heavenly things. But, oh what joy we find when we know the one whom transforms us from that earthly state!
Having our citizenship in heaven is exciting in so many ways, but one of the greatest is knowing that we are claimed. We do not gain citizenship by any of our own movements or thoughts, yet we are claimed as belonging in that place which seems furthest away from our current existence. We are claimed as ones to have our humiliating stomachs, minds, and hearts transformed into His glory. Oh, what joy in being claimed!
Prayer
God of all, we thank you for coming to us, even in our weakest movements. Be with us even when we become enemies of the cross in our lust for this world. Help us to be the people displaying your Kingdom on this earth, and to welcome every person as a citizen in our communities as you have done for us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.