On Foreign Soil

03.04.09

J.A. Matteson

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

Slumbering soldiers on foreign soil behind enemy lines quickly find themselves in mortal peril. The life of faith requires that the saint press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus and be constantly on guard against temporal sidetracks that hinder progress in grace. The realization of desired attainments in grace appears elusive for the weary pilgrim, yet the Lord in His goodness has ordained that grace be extended towards His saints ensuring their progress in their travels towards the New Jerusalem, for the Apostle confidently asserts, “I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

Human governments and citizenships are instituted by God and are a shadowy representation of a supreme heavenly reality. All earthly authority is delegated and subject to the Creator who upholds all things by the power of His word. To be a citizen of a human government is to enjoy particular protections and provisions that are withheld to aliens. The Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States of America extends privileges to its citizens. And unlike earthly citizenships which may be acquired either by birth or immigration, citizenship in the kingdom of heaven can only be acquired by rebirth, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

The outworking of the heavenly citizenship within the saints is Christlikeness. Pilgrims trod the battlefields of the mind, remaining in mortal combat against the desires of the flesh, while at the same time faithfully endeavoring to pluck from the flames through the agency of the Gospel the living dead. The battlefield on which the pilgrim finds himself is a perpetual place of violence and horror where endurance remains a continual plea. The Lord has extended to the pilgrim positive graces so that he may not loose heart; viz., purification, protection, and provision. Providences, in that the citizen of heaven is to interpret every circumstance—from the largest to the smallest—as lovingly engineered for the purpose of transforming him into the likeness of his Lord, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28); purification, in that fleshly lusts are being daily mortified by the power of the indwelling Spirit, yielding increasing fruitfulness to the Lord, “For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust…For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:4, 8); protection, for the armies of heaven are sentinels against the frontal assaults of Satan and his fallen world system, “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them” (Psalm 34:7); the provision of spiritual and natural graces, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:18), and “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

Let the man on pilgrimage to the New Jerusalem rejoice that the end of his sojourning is glory on high. Pilgrims sojourning upon the earth are foreigners keeping a watchful gaze heavenward, eagerly awaiting their Savior and the fist glimpse of the City whose foundation and walls are not made by human hands. And as the ocean mist and Autumn flower are momentary their weary pilgrimage will soon conclude and they will be at the City gate.

Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)