What does a citizen of Heaven look like?

If I was to ask you what a citizen of Heaven might look like, what sort of a description would you give?

Perhaps the stereotypical Hollywood description might come to mind – a tall, slim person dressed in gleaming white robes, looking not quite totally solid, and glowing radiantly with an angelic look on his or her face. Or maybe the more traditional version – a cherub-like child sitting on a cloud and playing a harp.

You might be sufficiently well-taught in the Scriptures to avoid falling into the error of confusing a heavenly citizen with an angel, but in popular thinking, that kind of confusion is not uncommon. Nevertheless, how would you describe a citizen of Heaven?

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul describes such a person. In fact, Philippians 1:27 and 4:1 are like bookends that hold in place a list of some of the characteristics of a citizen of Heaven. In 1:27, Paul says – "conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ". Those words could be more literally translated "behave like citizens of the gospel of Christ". Paul then spends much of Chapters two and three describing how a Christian should behave, and ends Chapter three with the words "our citizenship is in heaven."

Paul is addressing the Philippians as though they are citizens of another world. And indeed that's what they are.

A "citizen of Heaven" is just one way of describing a Christian. But it's also a helpful way to remind ourselves that a Christian is a citizen not only of this world, but also of the new heavens and the new earth. So it's worth considering how Paul describes such a person in his letter to the Philippians.

According to Paul, a citizen of Heaven is one who stands firm with other Christians in the face of opposition to the gospel (1:27-30); humbles himself/herself for the good of others (2:1-11); shines like a star against a dark background (2:12-16); accepts no credit for him/herself, but gives all credit to Christ. (3:1-9); wants to know Christ ever more fully (3:10-17), and eagerly awaits the Second Coming of Jesus Christ from Heaven (3:20-21).

So, if you are ever asked to describe a citizen of Heaven, don't go for the Hollywood interpretation – try using Paul's description instead ...and even better, why not aim to be a living example of one yourself.

Bob Thurlow