Seeking the Heavenly City to come

(Hebrew 11:13-16; 13:12-16)

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed hto be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.

So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

{Dwight Yoo}

To be a Christian is to be a resident alien.

Abraham left his homeland for Canaan. But the canaanites still lived there. So Abraham lived as an alien in this place. But even so, it was more than just a nationalistic sense. They are not of this place, but rather a heavenly place. We are to live as one seeking to go home.

Those who live for the heavenly city, do the most for their current city.

If we forget our alien status, we start to live like residents. We take on the values and desires of the place we live in. We look the same and act the same. We have no power in Christ. If we forget our resident status, we act like we are passing through. Christ sent us into the world. (Jeremiah 29:4-7) We are called to love and minister to those around us.

Our greatest motivation to live like this is Christ

Jesus came to us from the heavenly city. He came for us. He was taken out of the city for us. So that we would be welcome in the heavenly city.