The Spiritual Citizenship of Believers
Throughout Scripture, God's people are described as citizens of a commonwealth that far exceeds any earthly nation. The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." This beautiful declaration reminds us that while we live physically in various countries and provinces—including Canada—our primary allegiance and true home belong to God's kingdom. The commonwealth Paul describes is not a political entity with borders or a capital city, but rather a spiritual reality encompassing all who have entered into relationship with Christ through faith.
Peter reinforces this concept, calling believers "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession" (1 Peter 2:9). Notice the governmental language—we are described as a nation, yet one that transcends geography and ethnicity. This commonwealth is characterized not by military might or economic power, but by redemption, holiness, and devotion to Christ. When we become Christians, we are naturalized into God's kingdom, granted the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship in His commonwealth regardless of our earthly passport.
Unity Across All Boundaries
The figurative commonwealth of God is beautifully inclusive, breaking down the barriers that typically divide humanity. In Galatians 3:28, Paul declares, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." This radical statement reveals that God's commonwealth operates by entirely different principles than earthly governments. A Chinese Christian, a Nigerian Christian, and a Canadian Christian share a deeper citizenship bond with one another than with many of their earthly compatriots.
This spiritual commonwealth is established through Christ's work on the cross, which secured our access to God and membership in His eternal kingdom. Ephesians 2:14-16 describes how Christ "has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility" and has "made the two groups one" through His death, creating "one new humanity." The commonwealth exists wherever believers gather—in churches across Canada, in prayer groups, in Christian fellowship—because it is fundamentally relational and spiritual rather than territorial.
Living as Citizens of Heaven
Understanding our citizenship in God's commonwealth should profoundly shape how we live today. As citizens of this figurative kingdom, we are called to live according to its values: justice, mercy, love, and holiness. This doesn't mean withdrawing from Canadian society or neglecting our earthly responsibilities, but rather holding our earthly citizenship with a lighter grip, remembering that our true home and ultimate loyalty belong to Christ's kingdom.
Practically, this means treating fellow Christians as family regardless of their background, pursuing unity in the church, and letting kingdom values inform our choices about work, finances, relationships, and community involvement. We are ambassadors of this heavenly commonwealth while we reside here on earth, called to reflect its character and extend its message of reconciliation to all people.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. —Philippians 3:20