Philippians 3:20 — For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Citizen of America or Heaven?

I think most who come into the Hebraic perspective of viewing the Scriptures feel like they’ve been lied to. I did. We wondered how those we looked to for instruction and teaching had failed to inform us of the things we were beginning to see for ourselves. Was it deliberate? Was it out of ignorance? Was it a combination of both? We have been given “new” information and understanding. We’ve been changed. And because of this, we can never go back to the simpler, warm fuzzy days of our Christian lives. It’s all so apparent to us now; but, it wasn’t always that way.

Eisenhower was president when I grew up. America was booming. Life was a cornucopia of amazing things and experiences. I mean, we were One Nation Under God. We said the Pledge of Allegiance in school. The police were the good guys. Most people went to some sort of church. Stores and businesses were closed on Sundays. Truly, America was (as it seemed) a nation blessed of God. All you had to do was look around and see it. We even had God on our money. What more could prove our godliness as a nation?

Well …

I’ve been watching the Adullam Film documentary/movies by Chris Pinto. The ones relating to America have been alarming, to say the least. I’m starting to feel about my country like I did about Christianity when I was made aware of the broader aspect of the Hebraic mindset. Why hadn’t I ever been made aware of all this documented history about my country before now? Had I been lied to? Was information deliberately held back? Is there really a nefarious underbelly to our country? You mean some of our greatest Founding Fathers were Masons? You mean, several of our Presidents were as well? You mean …?

The birth of America is kind of like Israel coming out of Egypt. Along with the Israelites, there was the mixed multitude that had another mindset with a different agenda. That’s like America. Yes, the Pilgrims and Puritans came over and greatly influenced the growth and development of America. But, there were others that had a totally different mindset and agenda which has also greatly influenced the growth and development of America.

It dawned on me recently that America is like the Tree of The Knowledge of Good and Evil. One Nation with both aspects. I, and maybe most believers, have primarily focused on the Good side of America. We’ve been less focused on the Evil side of America. And unless I’m mistaken, the Evil side has been arising to the ascendancy for quite some time.

So, I feel a little burned. But, I can’t blame others for not making me aware. The signs have been there all along. I’m to blame. As a believer I should have know better.

And I did ….

Here’s the kicker. God already told me that my “conversation is in Heaven.” He already told me to focus on my Saviour who is coming back for me. How is it that I, we, have done just the opposite? How is it that we’re more concerned about our citizenship in this country than we are about our Heavenly citizenship? How is it we live more like earthly citizens than Heavenly citizens? Perhaps we have gotten so stuck to the tar-baby of the present that we, for the most part, have lost perspective concerning things that are eternal.

So after watching these films I coming full-circle.

This world is not my home. This country is not where my true citizenship is or belongs. I’m a child of the King and belong to Him and His rule. Everything in this country that is not of God is of the Devil. It’s that simple. And, it’s that real.

We’ve been lulled to sleep as believers because we want the good life of the here-and-now. We want the instant. We’re having a hard time putting off this life for the things that matter eternally. Heaven seems so far off. Citizenship in Heaven? That’s great, but what about now?

Yes we’re grateful, as believers, to be American citizens. But, that is never to overrule the fact that, first and foremost, we are Citizens of Heaven.

By the way, Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines “conversation” as:

“1. General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals. Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel. Philippians 1:27. Be ye holy in all manner of conversation 1 Peter 1:15.”

Let’s live out our Heavenly conversation “as it becometh the gospel.” The lost world isn’t interested in Christians that are just like they are. They’re looking for those whose “conversation” is different.

That’s to be us.

That IS us.