The other day I was struck by the image of people seeking asylum in Canada. People were trekking across snowfields in our northern states, attempting to cross into Canada, under cover of darkness, to seek refuge and ultimately obtain citizenship.

My father was born in Canada and as his son, I am granted, in the full light of day, the right under Canadian law to be a recognized citizen of Canada. However, certain requirements have to be met before Canada grants me citizenship. I must provide a copy of my “born abroad” birth certificate, fill out an application, and, of course, pay a processing fee. Once the requirements are fulfilled I become a dual citizen – an American by my birth and a Canadian by my father’s birth.

And what have I done to merit these citizenships? I was born. My birth gives me an identity, which means I inherit all the rights, honors and rewards due me by my citizenship. I also inherit all the duties, obligations and responsibilities rightfully expected from me by my citizenship. With one’s citizenship comes a code of conduct and the two can be a powerful combination.

Consider Paul and Silas in Philippi when they were accosted by the crowd and magistrates, beaten and thrown into jail. The next day, the magistrates tried to secretly remove them, but Paul states in Romans 16:37, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison.” Upon hearing the news of their Roman citizenship, the magistrates became afraid and issued a public apology!

The impact of citizenship can be extremely powerful. There was obviously no one more aware of this than Paul. He understood the power of his citizenship and the importance of conducting himself in light of his citizenship. However, as significant as Paul’s Roman citizenship may have been, it was his heavenly citizenship that defined him in this world. It’s what defines all Christians.

Paul communicated the preeminence of our heavenly citizenship in his letter to the Philippians, stating, “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20). Paul is making it clear to the believers in Philippi, themselves Roman citizens, that their true identity is found in God through Christ His Son. We are no different than our brothers and sisters in Philippi.

Our citizenship [Gk. politeuma] is in Heaven through our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul uses the related verb form of this same word in 1:27, “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” This phrase can be alternately translated, “Only behave as citizens [Gk. politeuesthe] worthy of the gospel of Christ…” By the power of Christ, we behave as fellow citizens of Christ, which is worthy of the gospel of Christ.

After declaring our citizenship in Phil. 3:20, Paul quickly follows with a summary statement in 4:1, a directive that we’d all be wise as citizens to obey, “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”

So, fellow citizens of Heaven, stand firm in Christ, our righteousness. Stand firm in the One who has born you of the Spirit and now claims you as His own!