To quote DC Talk, “I love Rap Music”.
I know that actual rap fans, and rappers would probably hear this and giggle inside. Lack of ____________, that makes it a merely wannabe effort.
And yet it stands. Props to the wannabe’s who aren’t afraid to play. 🙂
If you’re curious, it was all recorded with a mic on my computer (thus the horrible sound quality), and mixed with beats/effects available in Acid 4.0.
And what are Paul’s final words in these verses?
Therefore…STAND FIRM in the Lord IN THIS WAY.
What way?
Not simply by “believing”. Not by simply “being devoted to what happens at church”, or by giving large amounts of our excess to God and His Kingdom.
But by actually LIVING as CITIZENS of heaven. Now. By renouncing any other people/things/powers that try and claim you as a citizen under their authority.
This can be an incredible gift – For those of us who have messed up. For those of us who have very little in this world. For those of us who are suffering. None of these things can claim our identity….for we are citizens of HEAVEN even now.
This can also feel/seem like a sacrifice – For those of us who have more than plenty. Those of us who are comfortable, and have built up a today and tomorrow that we are tempted to put faith in. For those of us who have accomplished something that the world ascribes to us as our identity. We renounce all of these things, reminded by Paul that our minds are not on things of this world. We are CITIZENS OF HEAVEN.
I’d venture that for most of us, we have moments of both. Moments where we cling to that citizenship for all we’re worth, as it frees us from what threatens to bind us today, and promises hope and life for eternity with Jesus. But also moments where we are challenged to serve Caesar. Tempted to think our identity might be bound by a success or potential success in this world.
Into both moments, come the Truth of Jesus Christ about our citizenship…a citizenship that is offered to ALL nations and people around the globe. A citizenship we did not, could not ever earn or purchase.
Will you live as a citizen of heaven this week?
What will that change from last week?
What Caesars is God calling you to turn away from?
What Caesars is God freeing you from?
Here in Chapter 3, we enter the text just after Paul has talked about resigning his “Jewish-ness” for the sake of Christ. All that was embodied in his rightful claim as a Jewish man, he let go of and renounced for what he gains in Christ.
Then he says in vs. 17 – “Join in imitating me”
Obviously, there are few, if any, Jews in this area. Which is why he goes on to use the language he does. He wants to help them connect what he’s saying about the identity Christ has brought to us, and to this place we live.
“There are enemies of the cross…I’ve told you of them, and now I tell you with tears.” Paul is obviously experiencing an intense emotion here, perhaps knowing that what he’s asking them to do could turn out very badly for them short term.
But Paul’s is not a short term message. 🙂
He declares to them, and to us….OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN!!!
We represent the rule and presence of Jesus Christ in our world. We live not according to the systems and powers of this place we live, but according to the way of Jesus Christ.
Immediately, the hearers of Paul’s message may have begun thinking about what it would mean to claim Jesus as Christ, instead of Caesar. Caesar was often called “savior”, because it was his word, his power, his presence that would rescue and restore order in chaos.
What is our “Caesar”?
As an individual – what rules your life? Money? Time? Ourselves? Preparation for the future? Anxiety? “Success”?
What would it mean for us to claim Jesus, instead of that…as our Christ?
As a church – what or who is ruling us? The desire to be larger or more exciting than other churches? Numbers on paper, whether it’s attendance, membership, offerings, how much we give, how many people we serve? To be financially stable? To make sure we always do things this way or that, or always strive to be “new” or “on the edge”?
What would it mean for us as a local church to claim Jesus anew, as our Christ?
Paul knows that when they, and when we…think of changes, and “little deaths”, or possibly even real deaths for them…that will occur when we choose Jesus…we need to be reminded that these bodies, and these lives, are temporary.
That people who live according to their appetites, are worshiping their “stomachs”. The word used here can be anything from the “carnal, lustful, etc”, or even “the inner most part of a man, soul, desires”. Not inherently bad, but not intended to be what we live according to. Our minds are not supposed to be set on these things.
We are citizens of heaven, and when our Savior comes he will transform these “humble bodies”. That’s a nice way to put it, for most of us. To look at the imperfections, fallen-ness, etc…and to simply say “humble bodies”.
We will be transformed to being conformed (summorphon – only other place used is Romans 8:29… “those predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”) with the body of His GLORY.
What is the body of His glory?
Not the body we see on the cross, but the body we see after the resurrection. One not OF this world, bound by the laws of nature. But a body that pays no regard to decay or the negative impact of aging. Physical, as we see doubting Thomas touch the hands of Jesus. But also somehow not bound by physical laws, as we see Jesus entering the locked room without any doors or windows being opened for him.
Paul doesn’t try to explain how this will happen, it’s not important. It will happen, just as all things that exist are subject to God. That God, is the one who’s eternal Kingdom we are now living as citizens of.
And what are Paul’s final words in these verses? Come back tomorrow as we close out this section…
words from wick 