Years ago, I read a biography of Abraham Lincoln. After he was elected, President Lincoln chose his Cabinet members. He didn’t choose friends or family members. He chose those who were most competent in their respective areas, even if they had been unfavorable towards him in the past. He wanted to surround himself with those who could best serve our country. President Lincoln believed that surrounding himself with people who were smarter in certain areas than he would be beneficial to himself and the country. Observe that President Lincoln and his Cabinet were all citizens of the United States and served for the betterment of the United States.

We are Citizens of Heaven right now and serve for the betterment of Heaven here in our church and in the world. Our prayer is “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven.” As Christians we should follow those citizens of heaven who are following the Lord, "pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:17, 20-21 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. … For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

“Our conversation is in heaven.” Our community is in Heaven. Our citizenship is in Heaven! In our church we have this heavenly community of believers. We are to “mark those”, seek those who are following the Lord as Paul was and learn from them. We are to imitate Christ and those who follow Christ.

Whether we admit it or not we are greatly influenced by our surroundings and the people we associate with. We cannot choose our family, but we can choose our friends as they will change us. We are to look to those who are even more “spiritual” than ourselves and imitate them. Fellowship with believers. Be observant and have discernment in choosing your friends. Look out for, mark those whose walk with the Lord exemplifies the beatitudes and the fruit of the Spirit. Avoid those who pretend to be Christians and those with critical spirits.

As citizens of Heaven, we represent the Savior until He returns. We are to faithfully serve together looking forward to that Day! 1 John 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

Ron Cox | Director of HOPE Ministry