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I. WHAT THAT RELATION IS. Citizenship.

1. It is founded on the provisions of the evangelical economy. The object of that economy is the expression of God's love for man — the Father seeking His child. The relation of a believer to God is that of a child to a father. Hence in the gospel our privileges and prospects are all "because we are sons;" "if children, then heirs" (1 John 3:1-2).

2. This relation is maintained by a corresponding spirit. Not only is thy name written in heaven, but the name of God is written in thy heart and life. The relation is not hereditary, but moral. It is(1) a spirit of abstraction from this world, not ascetic indeed, but that spirit which walks in the world, and displays its spirit and example to the world. They who would live for men must live with men. The Christian is here as a foreigner, but he cannot travel to his Father's house without being a blessing.

(2) A spirit of devotion to that state of society to which he belongs, viz., heaven.

(3) A spirit of solicitude for preparation to depart when called upon — "Locking for the Saviour."

II. THE BLISSFUL PROSPECT OF THE CHRISTIAN IN CONSEQUENCE OF THIS RELATION. We have here —

1. A just representation of man at his best estate. He possesses a "body of humiliation." The body is not abstractedly vile, and therefore we should not say that it is vile because it is dust, frail, etc. Nothing is vile that God has made; but the body reminds us of our humble state, and bears a brand it will never lose till the morning of the resurrection.

2. But it shall be fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body, the result of which will be the qualification of the transformed saints for heaven.

III. THE FOUNDATION ON WHICH OUR CONFIDENCE IS REPOSED the Saviour.

1. His promised appearance.

2. His omnipotent energy.

(T. Lessey.)

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KJV: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

WEB: For our citizenship is in heaven, from where we also wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;