Writing to the church at Philippi, Paul spoke of some "who mind earthly things," and he continued by saying, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (American Standard Version). From this passage of Scripture we know that our citizenship is not material, for we live in "a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."
Webster defines a "citizen," in part, as "a member of a state; a person ... who owes allegiance to a government, and is entitled to reciprocal protection from it. ... A citizen as such is entitled to the protection of life, liberty, and property." Mary Baker Eddy, Founder and Leader of the Christian Science church, defines "heaven" on page 587 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," in these words: "Harmony; the reign of Spirit; government by divine Principle; spirituality; bliss; the atmosphere of Soul."
In the statement, "Our citizenship is in heaven," we notice the present tense. This means that here and now we are in heaven, harmony, and have peace, satisfaction, assurance, happiness, efficiency, success, and abundance—all that heaven offers. In most religious theories, heaven is thought of as some far-away place, possibly attainable at death or at some indefinite time after the final judgment; but as Christian Scientists we know that heaven is harmony, an ever-present fact, the kingdom of divine Principle, God. This means that God's spiritual children all live, now and forever, in God's spiritual kingdom, where perfection reigns and inharmony is unknown. This is the only real man and the only real kingdom; and proportionately as this truth is known and realized our human existence will be uplifted, and sin, sickness, sorrow, fear, lack, and all other inharmonies will disappear. Spirit rules in the spiritual kingdom, and gives freedom, power, and direction to all.
