For our conversation is in Heaven, from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20
Most if not all of the modern translations of the Bible get this verse wrong, or at least incomplete. They mistakenly translate the word that appears in the King James Version as ‘conversation’ as ‘citizenship’. While it is true that we as Christians are citizens of Heaven, and while it is true that the word ‘conversation’ as used in the KJV does not mean what it did 400 years ago, it is also true that the Greek word that is translated ‘conversation’ in the KJV and ‘citizenship’ and ‘are citizens of” in the modern versions means much more than citizenship. It also refers to the way in which we conduct our lives as citizens of Heaven. In other words, it places a responsibility on us to act according to our citizenship.
Our conversation refers to our manner of life, the way in which we conduct ourselves according to our citizenship or nationality. Consider an example of a family that moves from India to Canada and retains many of the customs and dress and diet of their former country. We could say that their conversation was in India because their manner of life was pretty much the same as it had been in India. In the same way, we who are living in this present world can and should be living as citizens of Heaven. People around us would be able to tell, by the way that we live, that we are not permanent citizens of this world.
As citizens of Heaven, our conversation – and I am now using the word in its modern meaning – will be different. Just as people from India will speak with an Indian accent, we will speak with a Heavenly accent. Our talk will not have the lies, the profanities, the smut, the gossip, and the backbiting of this world’s citizens. Instead, our speech will be seasoned with Scripture, our words will be truthful and kind, our topics will be those things that pertain to our Lord and to His Word, His people, and His work. We should have no problem identifying each other as Christians by the way that we talk.
Christians ought also to be identifiable by our appearance. No, I am not suggesting that we adopt a unique and odd costume such as that used by the Amish and other groups. But our clothing should not be immodest or disrespectful, or in any way take away from our claim to be holy, honest, and helpful people. Christians should also be discernible as citizens of Heaven by our conduct. This refers to honest and upright living, avoiding activities that would be a disgrace to the Lord, not being entangled with the politics and problems of this world. A book could be written on each of these things, but they all point to the life of the believer as a citizen of Heaven.
Has anyone accused you lately of being a foreigner from Heaven? Have you given anyone any reason to suspect that you are such an alien? -Jim MacIntosh