3:17 Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example. 3:18 For many live (about whom I often told you, and now say even with tears) as enemies of the cross of Christ. 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, they exult in their shame, and they think about earthly things. 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven–and we also await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 3:21 who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of his glorious body by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

Paul’s life is transparent, revealing the Christ living in him. I will never achieve such transparency, but that is my goal. It’s encouraging that Paul sees such examples in others besides himself. At the same time, we are reminded that there are also lots of bad examples around, and discernment is called for.

We are citizens of heaven first and foremost, Paul says, and we can confidently await the return of the Lord of heaven who will remove the pain of living in the world while not being a true part of it. Maranatha! -sdg-