From this verse let us consider to the word “conversation” and reflect upon its meaning. It comes from the Greek word “poliveuma” meaning “citizenship”. If our citizenship is in Heaven, than we must be foreigners in this world. Saints speak as Abraham; he “...confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.” (Hebrews 11:13). We are as Isaac, who pitched his tents in the wilderness, roaming from place to place never intending to settle down or stay very long. By faith he saw the beautiful “Celestial City”, and being convinced of it, forsook all and followed God. True Christians do not meddle with temporal worldly passions; their eyes of faith see a “...city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10). Christians have been born from above, and the saved soul longs to go home to its Heavenly Father. The Redeemed desire to be set free from their fleshly prison, and ascend to heavenly heights. For “we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” (Romans 8:23). The soul is homesick and desires to return to its homeland.

    Just as citizens from different nations reflect the customs and habits of their homeland, so too does the Christian. We are to act heavenly, however this is not a deliberate action, but flows from the character of the heart. A friend of mine once traveled to Portland Oregon. While stopping to get gas the clerk said, “You must be from Tennessee.” How could she have known this? His speech betrayed him. His words reflected the origins of his culture. Do we act as if we have been born from above? Do our actions and language reflect the culture of Heaven? If the answer is no, than we might want to be sure our names are written there. If our names are written there then we can rejoice, “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.” (I John 5:4). In the Gospel of John, Jesus tells His disciples of their future home in Heaven and His plans of returning to bring them there. Thomas asked, “Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?” Jesus responded, “I am the way.” (John 14: 5-6)

    Josh Greene
        5-24-09