But our citizenship is in heaven.

Devotion based on Philippians 3:20

In 1922, the American composer William Arms Fisher wrote lyrics to one of the most haunting melodies in the history of music, the opening theme of the Largo from Anton Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.” Fisher entitled his song, “Goin’ Home,” its words describing a person’s departure from this world to “the world beyond.” Set in the style of an old American spiritual, Fisher penned, “Goin’ home, goin’ home, I’m a goin’ home; Quiet-like, some still day, I’m jes’ goin’ home. . . Mother’s there ‘spectin’ me, Father’s waitin’ too; Lots o’ folks gather’d there, All the friends I knew.” The song was popularized when it was played after President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Since then, it has been used regularly in connection with the funeral services of U.S. presidents, dignitaries, and soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

The song is certainly sentimental, but it’s not really biblical. There is no mention of sin against God or one another, nor its consequences: death (Ro 6:23). Neither is there any reference to our desperate need for divine forgiveness. The lyrics simply assume that everyone who dies goes “home” to heaven, no questions asked, greeted there by their dearly departed family and friends who have gone before them. There is no suggestion of true salvation; no pointing to the only One who freely grants it: Jesus, “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29).

It makes sense that Fisher’s song would be so affectionately adopted by the people of this world who desperately look for some hope and comfort in the face of death. Sadly, however, they refuse to look to Jesus their Savior, who gives certain hope and comfort by his death and resurrection from the dead. He’s conquered death forever! Instead, they chase after sappy sentimentality.

But at least Fisher got one thing right with his lyrics. He suggested that heaven is home. For God’s people—those who put their trust in Jesus—this is most certainly true. But it won’t only be true someday. The apostle Paul reminds us that even now “our citizenship is in heaven.” We are but strangers here; heaven is our home. And, oh, how God’s people long to be home with Jesus!

Prayer:

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