Is this World our Home?

[Salty]

May I step in for a minute -
Looks like we have a lot of different opinions here

I would just like to commend everyone for such a civil discussion here.
It is something we probably haven't really thought about in the past.

ONce again - thanks

and now back to the arguments - oopps - I mean discussion!

 

[Lodic]

What does "sojourners and exiles" mean in your dictionary?

We are temporary residents of this world. It's a sinful world, so we are not "of the world" in that sense. Yet, we are residents and citizens of this world as long as we are on this side of Heaven. Our Heavenly citizenship should be the model for our earthly citizenship. How would you view Paul pointing to his privileges as a citizen of Rome if he did not view himself as a dual citizen?

 

[Salty]

... Our Heavenly citizenship should be the model for our earthly citizenship. How would you view Paul pointing to his privileges as a citizen of Rome if he did not view himself as a dual citizen?

OUTSTANDING!!!

 

[AustinC]

We are temporary residents of this world. It's a sinful world, so we are not "of the world" in that sense. Yet, we are residents and citizens of this world as long as we are on this side of Heaven. Our Heavenly citizenship should be the model for our earthly citizenship. How would you view Paul pointing to his privileges as a citizen of Rome if he did not view himself as a dual citizen?

We are resident aliens by virtue of our change of citizenship.
When the government you live under tells you that you have broken a law, when you haven't, feel free to tell them you have a legal right to fight against its accusation. Paul claimed this human right. Did he spend his life glorying in his Roman citizenship? No. It was a last choice, legal move, but Paul didn't see himself as a citizen of Rome when he wrote his letters.
While I have legal rights as a US citizen, that is a last resort legal claim. It is not my primary or really even secondary consideration. I would much rather have Jesus return now.

That being said, I get your point and I won't push back too hard as I can accept your position.

 

[Lodic]

We are resident aliens by virtue of our change of citizenship.
When the government you live under tells you that you have broken a law, when you haven't, feel free to tell them you have a legal right to fight against its accusation. Paul claimed this human right. Did he spend his life glorying in his Roman citizenship? No. It was a last choice, legal move, but Paul didn't see himself as a citizen of Rome when he wrote his letters.
While I have legal rights as a US citizen, that is a last resort legal claim. It is not my primary or really even secondary consideration. I would much rather have Jesus return now.

That being said, I get your point and I won't push back too hard as I can accept your position.

Well said, good sir. I especially like your point that we are actually resident aliens. While Paul did appeal to his Roman citizenship, he primarily wrote about how we are to live as citizens of Heaven.