Discipleship Week 16: Imitate those whose hope is in heaven

Philippians 3:17-21

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

As we seek to have mature Christian influences in our lives, we should seek out people whose hope is in heaven. Very simply, where is their focus in life? Is it in the things of this world or in the hope that is found in eternal life? And as we apply the same standard to ourselves as we seek to be role models for those around us, are our minds focused on this world or on heaven?

The people that Paul describes as “enemies of the cross of Christ” likely are not unbelievers, but believers who only focus on the things of this world. If they were not Christians Paul would not lament so much over their worldly focus. But the sad reality is that too many Christians, both then and now, have their identity and hope only in the things of this world.

Now in most cases we do not actively wake up and say “I am going to focus on the things of this world today!” There can be a variety of ways that we can be distracted to set our minds on earthly things, and over time those distractions become permanent mindsets. Some are distracted by money. Others by success and accomplishment. Culture, current events, demands of others on us, and fear can all distract us towards having an earthly mindset. But that earthly mindset keeps us from having the mind of Christ that Paul calls us to throughout Philippians: a gospel-centered, self-sacrificial, cross-shaped life. It keeps us from proclaiming as Paul does, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (1:21). An earthly mindset destroys the Christian life, and truly does transform us into “enemies of the cross of Christ.”

So where is our hope? What shapes us? What shapes our values, goals, and priorities? Do we view our citizenship to be of this world, and of our country, or do we first and foremost, like Paul, recognize that as Christians our citizenship is in heaven? The answers to these questions will greatly shape how we lead our lives, how we lead others, and how we allow those around us to influence us. So as we seek to have mature Christian influences in our lives, we should seek out people whose hope is in heaven.