Physicists from Stanford and the University of California Santa Barbara are trying to put one object in two places at the same time. This is called “quantum entanglement” and consists of heating and cooling a tiny piece of matter to extreme levels and measuring it to see if it can be detected in multiple locations. Einstein theorized it might be possible, and these researchers believe they can do it.[1]
While this might sound like the stuff of science fiction, Christians have been in two places at once for more than two thousand years. How is this possible?
Christians alive on earth are citizens of heaven (spiritually) and are living on earth (physically). Paul tells us that even though our bodies are on earth, “we are citizens of heaven” (Phil 3:20, NLT).[2] We are in two places at once.
Philippians 3:17–21 describes how we embrace God’s kingdom as citizens of heaven while on earth. In other words, we live as residents of God’s heavenly kingdom even though we live on the earth. It’s like we are in two places at once.
Paul writes to the believers in the city of Philippi, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself” (Phil 3:17–21, NASB).[3]
In these five verses we learn we should follow the example of a mature believer that is less imperfect than us, reject the example of those that reject Christ, and live according to heaven’s agenda. In this way, being a member of God’s kingdom requires that we live like a member of the kingdom.
Some parts of Scripture are hard to read, not because the text is hard to understand, but because the text is hard to apply. I would put Philippians 3:17–21 in the category of hard to read because it’s hard to apply.
Philippians 3:17–21 is a challenging set of verses because they address behavior. This passage reminds us that discussing our creed we have as Christians is easier than figuring out our proper conduct. This passage shows us that discerning our doctrine we have as Christians is easier than following our correct duty.
Let’s remind ourselves what Paul says a citizen of heaven who lives on earth looks like. Based on Philippians 3:17 we learned about the model we should follow. We were taught to designate a mentor for ourselves. Based on Philippians 3:18–19 we learned about mortals we avoid. We were taught to discern what we read or hear. Based on Philippians 3:20–21 we learned about the manner we live. We were taught to distinguish our lifestyles as Christians from the lifestyle of the world.
Being a Christian is difficult because people look at our entire life (personal, professional, family, friends) to evaluate our claim that we are Christians. Being Christians is a challenge because all of our behavior is tied to who we are as Christians. If we worked as an accountant, as a nurse, or as a mechanic, most people would not look at our personal life to examine if we are effective at our jobs. We normally do not pay attention to someone’s personal life as a reflection of how well he can do his professional work.
However, the opposite is true for us as Christians. How we act at church is important, but how we behave when we are at Wal-Mart, with our friends in a restaurant, or at work are all evaluated in light of the fact that we are Christians. In other words, it’s even more important that we live as Christians when not at church. And that’s because we are on earth living as citizens of heaven.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion:
- What areas of your life do you feel like you’re living as a citizen of heaven best?
- What areas of your life do you feel you’re not living as a citizen of heaven?
- How can you improve?
- Are there teachings of Scripture you know contradict your life? How can you change that?
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Christopher L. Scott is a pastor and author of the book, Walking Straight When Life Goes Sideways: Essential Christian Truths for Enduring Life’s Trials (Wipf and Stock). He provides hundreds of free articles, videos, and Bible study resources at his website ChristopherLynnScott.com.
[1] See Jay Bennet, “The Same Atoms Exist in Two Places Nearly 2 Feet Apart Simultaneously,” Popular Mechanics, December 28, 2015, https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a18756/atoms-exist-two-places-simultaneously/; Andrea Estrada, “Physicists Show Theory of Quantum Mechanics Applies to the Motion of Large Objects,” The Current, March 17, 2010, https://news.ucsb.edu/2010/012788/physicists-show-theory-quantum-mechanics-applies-motion-large-objects;
[2] Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015).
[3] Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.