“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20–21, NIV84)

Christianity is unique in so many ways when compared to other religions of the world. Paul captures one of those ways in these verses. For Christians, Jesus is not just a great prophet or teacher from the past. Jesus didn’t live out His life on the earth and finish His work. He is not just a savior in the past (how most other religions of the world view their greatest teachers). On the contrary, He is a Savior for the present and the future. Jesus is alive and well and is enthroned in heaven. At this very moment He is actively leading His Church and providing for and protecting its members. No other religion on the planet claims such a Savior.

But there is more! As Paul says in these verses, “We eagerly await a savior from [Heaven].” One of the most wonderful things about being a Christian is that we are citizens of heaven. Yes, we still live  in this world, but our future home in heaven is secure. When we hope for Jesus’ return, we do it eagerly. We don’t wish there were a heaven. We know there is a heaven, and we await Jesus’ return from there so He can take us all home to be with Him. And the news keeps on getting better. When He does take us to heaven to be with Him, He will transform our weak and broken bodies into glorious, heavenly, perfected bodies ready to live in paradise forever.

May we eagerly expect and anticipate our Savior’s return.

Peace!

Pastor Tom

www.firmlyrooted.church