For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. [Philippians 3:20-21 NKJV]
This passage is a follow-up to Paul's previous comment, "...whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things." [Philippians 3:19 NKJV]
When I was younger there was an expression that was common in the church. They would say of a person that "he is so heavenly minded, that he is no earthly good." It's an unfortunate phrase that was true only of those who exhibited false piety. It helped to teach a generation of young people to keep their minds on earthly things.
As citizens of heaven, our minds should be set on heavenly things. Paul told us;
that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. [Romans 8:4-8 NKJV]
As citizens of heaven, though we walk on the earth, we live in the kingdom of heaven now, if we walk in the Spirit. We also look forward to the time when we trade our hope for reality. We will stand before Jesus in a transformed body. Paul said;
So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [1 Corinthians 15:42-44 NKJV]
Whether we die in the flesh and are resurrected, or are "changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet," [1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NKJV] We will receive a glorified body, in the image of Jesus. John described his encounter with Jesus in Revelation;
Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. [Revelation 1:12-17 NKJV]
The take-away is that Jesus' glorified body is so stunning, that to see him is to faint dead away. We are promised a glorious body in His image.
After running all the races in this life, our ultimate prize is our own transformation. Keep that goal in mind. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your mind set on the things of heaven. There is no such thing as being too heavenly minded if you are truly seeking the things of God. Regarding earthly things, Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." [Matthew 6:33 NKJV]
Father in heaven, thank You for the promise of glory for Your children. I pray for the grace to keep my mind steadfast set on You.
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