Living Large in a Small World: A Look Into Philippians 1Sample

Living Above All

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven (Philippians 1:27).

Paul knew a thing or two about citizenship. His status as a Roman citizen often served him well, and many of his readers remembered how the magistrates ignored his citizenship on his first visit to the city (Acts 16:37-39). So his reminder to the Philippians of their true identity (1:27 and 3:20) carried a lot of weight.

Maybe they had been acting as if they were merely citizens of Rome or residents of Philippi, or even just citizens of earth. If so, they’d gotten caught up in the small picture instead of the grand vision.

Paul spent much of the first part of his letter reorienting their view, demonstrating how radically a redeemed and faith-filled perspective can reveal the Kingdom at work behind the scenes.

• “You’re having some problems with each other? Don’t worry; God will keep growing you toward full maturity.”

• “You’re concerned about my imprisonment? If you could only see what God is doing through it!”

• “Self-centered preachers are trying to make a name for themselves? Okay, but they’re still publicizing the name of Christ, and more people are hearing about him.”

• “You’re concerned for my life? Yes, I might die. But you know what? Either way, I win!”

The apostle who appeared to be near the end of his ministry and stuck in a place of fruitlessness pulled back the curtain to unveil the plot behind the plot, and it was magnificent. By Kingdom criteria, nothing was as it appeared. God’s work was flourishing.

Now in 1:27, he turns toward his readers as if to say, “Now take everything I’ve been saying about my circumstances and apply it to yours.” The implications are monumental: With this vision, they would conduct themselves in a manner worthy of the gospel, stand together in unity of purpose, become fearless in the face of their enemies, and endure suffering well. A proper vision is more than just an encouraging view. It changes everything.

That’s why Paul positions it as a singular focus—“above all.” It’s a priority because it’s powerful. It aligns us with the heart and vision of God.

Re-Envision Your Citizenship

Most Christians live with an earth-to-heaven orientation, as if we’re lacking heaven’s resources and trying to pull them down through prayer, faith, and service. But what if we’re already raised up with Christ and seated with him in heaven (Ephesians 2:6; Colossians 3:1-4)? What if the difference between answered and unanswered prayer is a matter of recognizing what we’ve already been given and believing it? What if we’re supposed to live with a heaven-to-earth orientation even while we’re on earth?

Seeing yourself as a citizen of heaven comes with many implications: unshakable faith, fearlessness, a clearer vision of God’s Kingdom and your place in it, true priorities, eternal values, a spirit of endurance, and deep roots in the love of God, to name a few. The issue is not striving for what you want to receive; it’s believing what you’ve already been granted. And it begins with changing the way you see.