I Am a Citizen of Heaven (Philippians 3:20)
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20 (NIV)
What It Means to Be a Citizen of Heaven
Citizenship matters. It determines your rights, your allegiances, your protections, and where you ultimately belong. Paul wrote Philippians from prison to a church in Philippi, a Roman colony whose residents were intensely proud of their Roman citizenship. He tells them that their true and primary citizenship is not in Rome or any earthly nation. It is in heaven.
This does not mean believers disengage from the world around them. It means their core identity, their values, and their ultimate loyalty are anchored in a kingdom that does not fade. A citizen of heaven lives differently because they are operating from a different set of priorities. They are not chasing what the world says matters most because they already know where they are going and who they belong to. That security produces a freedom that earthly citizenship can never provide.
Hebrew Meaning
ger (גֵּר): sojourner, stranger, resident alien; used throughout the Old Testament to describe those who lived among a people that was not their own. Abraham, Moses, and the Israelites in Egypt were all described as ger. The concept of being a sojourner in this world while belonging to another is deeply rooted in the Hebrew understanding of God’s people as a distinct community with a heavenly homeland.
Greek Meaning
politeuma (πολίτευμα): citizenship, commonwealth, state; used in Philippians 3:20 to describe where believers truly belong. It is a political and civic term that would have carried significant weight for the Philippian audience. Paul is saying that as much as Roman citizenship defined identity and privilege, heavenly citizenship carries infinitely more weight, more authority, and more lasting significance.
Bible Verses on Being a Citizen of Heaven
Ephesians 2:19 (NIV): “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens (sympolitēs) with God’s people and also members of his household.”
Hebrews 11:13-14 (NIV): “All these people were still living by faith when they died. They admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth… they were longing for a better country, a heavenly one.”
John 17:16 (NIV): “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV): “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
1 Peter 2:11 (NIV): “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul.”
Revelation 21:3 (NIV): “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.'”
How to Practice Being a Citizen of Heaven
Let Eternity Shape Your Priorities. Regularly ask yourself whether what you are spending your time, money, and energy on reflects the values of the kingdom you truly belong to. Eternal perspective clarifies what actually matters.
Hold Earthly Things Loosely. A citizen of heaven is not easily devastated by the loss of earthly things because they know their true home and inheritance are secure. Practice holding possessions, status, and plans with open hands.
Live by Kingdom Values in an Earthly Culture. Gentleness, generosity, truth-telling, and sacrifice are often countercultural. Embrace them anyway. You are not here to blend in. You are here to represent a kingdom that is different from every earthly one.
Invest in What Is Eternal. Time spent loving people, building faith, making disciples, and serving others has eternal value. Be intentional about directing your resources toward things that last beyond this life.
Be Grateful for the Access You Already Have. Your citizenship in heaven is not a future reality only. It means you already have access to the Father, the Spirit, and the authority of Christ right now. Do not wait for heaven to begin living from it.
Declare It
My true home is with God, and that identity shapes how I live on earth.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for making me a citizen of Your kingdom. Help me to live from that identity every day, especially when the pressures and values of this world pull at my attention. Teach me to hold this life with open hands and to invest in what is eternal. Let my life here on earth reflect the kingdom I truly belong to. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection Question
In what area of your life are you most tempted to live for earthly approval or success rather than from the security of your citizenship in heaven?
