Hebrews 3:1 refers to us believers as partakers of a heavenly calling.
1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, Hebrews 3:1 (NKJV)
To partake of something is to have a share in it, to take part. It is worth considering the implications of the phrase, ‘partakers of a heavenly calling.’ Our heavenly calling could refer to our final destiny, our purpose here on earth or the perspective we live with and from. I think it refers to all three but I think the first two can be subsumed under the third. We are to ‘take part’ in a perspective that reflects our heavenly calling in all that we say and do. In my blog I use the tagline, “An Eternal Perspective: Living in Time, Preparing for Eternity.” It was a thought I had a number of years ago that I simply put down in words so I would both remember it and seek to live by it.
To embrace a heavenly calling is to embrace an eternal perspective and holding this perspective should affect how we live here and what we look forward to when we step from time into eternity. How we should live from a focus on a heavenly calling was captured by Paul and Peter.
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 2 Peter 3:11 (NKJV)
Having a heavenly calling, having a part in something much larger than ourselves and that affects the rest of the body of Christ should inform everything that we do. It means that our thoughts and actions should be focused on bringing glory to God. Others should see Jesus reflected in how we live.
This isn’t an exhortation to legalism or examining every behaviour in light of our calling. That degenerates into navel gazing. It is a call to lovingly walk in the freedom Jesus purchased for us and living lives of holiness through Him living in and through us. To partake of our heavenly calling means also partaking of an intimate relationship with Jesus in the context of His body here on earth, the church. It is embracing Christ in us and cooperating with His abundant grace to see Him live through us. It means embracing the truth in the two verses below. Living from that perspective.
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 (NKJV)
The heavenly perspective
is a key