Administratively, in this world, we are citizens of Indonesia, not vagrants with no identity. But from the perspective of eternity, whose citizens are we? As long as we live in the body of flesh, we need a status. For example, when traveling abroad, we must carry a passport. That is what is required administratively in this world. But when we die, whose citizens will we be? That is the question we must be sure about.
The Word of God says: “Seek first the kingdom of God.” This statement carries the same meaning as: “Make every effort to become a member of the Kingdom of God.” That is why God’s Word also affirms: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). This means: become members of the Kingdom of God by cultivating the character, attributes, and nature of that Kingdom. First of all, we must realize that we are not spiritual vagrants; we have a status. The question is: are we living up to our status as children of God?
This is where the church has a role—to continually work, campaign, and encourage the congregation to become citizens of the Kingdom of God. His Word must continually circumcise our inner being, circumcise our hearts. If physical circumcision is an outward sign, then circumcision of the heart means cutting off our weaknesses, sinful character, and sinful tendencies. Repentance is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. Whatever we love that does not align with His will, there the Lord will wound us. Whatever we most enjoy but is not pleasing before Him, we must let go, and this is what it means to deny ourselves.
The problem is, if we do not realize that we are members of God’s Kingdom family and refuse to take on the status of circumcision of the heart, we will not experience the process of renewal. As a result, when we die, the Lord will not recognize us. He will say: “I never knew you. You did not do the will of the Father. You did not experience the circumcision of the heart.” Do not be preoccupied with being a pastor or being busy with church activities, while failing to ask whether or not we are truly pleasing before the Lord.
Life’s problems will never be resolved entirely; they will always exist. Do not idolize problems. Whatever happens, let it happen, but the most important thing is how the circumcision of our hearts progresses—how we are continually renewed to become people of character as citizens of the Kingdom of God. If our focus is only on problems, we will not grow. In fact, problems should serve as a catalyst, because God uses every life event to perfect us.
We must ask ourselves: how can we ever be there—in the Kingdom of Heaven—if we do not meet its characteristics and qualifications? We must truly live in God’s presence, live in holiness, and be worthy to open the gates of heaven to receive His Word. The same applies to parents: how can they be instruments in God’s hand to bless their families, be role models, and figures worthy of imitation? Therefore, we must seriously put on the attributes of God, so that we may truly be worthy of being called His children, bearing His morality and holiness.
Philippians 3:6-9 records how Paul let go of all his pride and regarded it as rubbish, so that he might gain Christ. There is an exchange process, a spiritual barter. If we remain attached to worldly pride and worldly affections, we will not possess Christ. Paul emphasizes in verse 17: “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” Paul’s life is the standard of a believer’s life, the standard of a citizen of the Kingdom of God. And here Paul opens a space: not only himself, but others too can become examples—including us, if we truly live as citizens of God’s Kingdom.