Philippians 3:20-21
We all know the story of man disobeying God in the Garden of Eden, which resulted in his fall from fellowship with God (Genesis 2-3). How unfortunate this is! Man was no longer innocent but was a wretched, sinful creature, who was separated from God. So, here in verses 17-19 Paul encouraged the Philippian church to be followers of his life and other believers who fashioned their lives after godliness. He also wept sadly as he warned the church that he had told them previously that there are many who reject and oppose Christ’s way of salvation. Now this was not the only reason for the apostle’s sadness. He is weeping because their end is doom and eternal.
Paul continued, “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (v.20); “who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious, resurrected body” (v.21).
Believers live in the world but are not of the world. So, they eagerly wait for the coming of Jesus, through Whom they are called to fulfill God’s purpose to glorify Him. Paul told the Philippians that through Christ’s power their present mortal bodies will be completely changed physically and spiritually, reflecting the glorified, immortal body like Christ after His resurrection. While we wait for Christ to return, we have time to prepare for the eternal glory we will share with Him forever.
Lift your voice and shout, “Glory!”