Kingdom Citizenship Is a Privilege Not a Right
Image by Heiko S. from PixabayIn the Kingdom of God, citizenship is a privilege. It is for those who seek, But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Whoever becomes a citizen of the Kingdom is the King's choice, by the Holy Spirit. Looking back to colonial times, citizenship was so important that it wasn't automatic. Once a person was appointed a citizen, they had special benefits and protection in that kingdom. Ambassador Paul was a good example of the power of citizenship when he was detained by the Roman guards: And they listened to him until this word, and then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth, for he is not fit to live!” Then, as they cried out and tore off their clothes and threw dust into the air, the commander ordered him to be brought into the barracks, and said that he should be examined under scourging, so that he might know why they shouted so against him. And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said to the centurion who stood by, “Is it lawful for you to scourge a man who is a Roman, and uncondemned?”
When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. Acts 22:22-29
Once you are a citizen in right standing with the King, all of your protection and privileges are enforced. The King is responsible for taking care of you. Therefore the Governor's role in preparing subjects for citizenship is a tremendous responsibility. He has to change the way you think and your old lifestyle in order for you to function properly in God's Kingdom. That takes time, through His leading. Do you recall what ambassador Paul stated to the Roman Kingdom citizens? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 The process of having one's mind changed is an ongoing process. Saturate your mind with the water of God's Word. Wash the world out of your mind with His Word!
The Holy Spirit is our Kingdom Governor. He has taken up residence in those of us who love the King's Word. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14:15-18
In God's Constitution, John made this statement: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:3-5 Being born again isn't a religious term. It is what has to happen before you become a citizen of the Lord God's Kingdom.
As it was in colonial times, the Governor is the most important person in the colony. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit, our Kingdom Governor, there would be chaos everywhere--which we see in abundance in the world! But if you are being governed by the Holy Spirit, that chaos will not rule over your life! When you are led by the Holy Spirit, His peace surrounds you like a wall around the ancient kingdoms we have read about. His peace keeps the chaos of the world at bay, unable to penetrate that wall, unable to get IN you! You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Remember that earth is a colony of heaven. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men. Psalm 115:16
The main role of the Holy Spirit as Governor is to teach His citizens the ways of the homeland, which is heaven. This is why it is vital that we be filled with His Spirit. It is His plan for His citizens. King Jesus revealed the work of the Holy Spirit: But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you. John 16:13-15 AMP
Kingdom citizenship is a privilege granted by the Lord God. It has a process, created by God, and we cannot skip steps. In order for one to become a citizen, you must first be born again, not just a member of a religious organization. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” We cannot even SEE the Kingdom until we are born again! If we understand this, we will understand why people do not believe when we speak about God's Kingdom government.
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8
Then we must be full of His Word. It is our nourishment and the language of the Holy Spirit. Know it and have faith in it!
Remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in the King's Word.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
When the centurion heard that, he went and told the commander, saying, “Take care what you do, for this man is a Roman.”
Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman?” He said, “Yes.”
The commander answered, “With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.” And Paul said, “But I was born a citizen.”
Then immediately those who were about to examine him withdrew from him; and the commander was also afraid after he found out that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. Acts 22:22-29
Once you are a citizen in right standing with the King, all of your protection and privileges are enforced. The King is responsible for taking care of you. Therefore the Governor's role in preparing subjects for citizenship is a tremendous responsibility. He has to change the way you think and your old lifestyle in order for you to function properly in God's Kingdom. That takes time, through His leading. Do you recall what ambassador Paul stated to the Roman Kingdom citizens? I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2 The process of having one's mind changed is an ongoing process. Saturate your mind with the water of God's Word. Wash the world out of your mind with His Word!
The Holy Spirit is our Kingdom Governor. He has taken up residence in those of us who love the King's Word. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you." John 14:15-18
In God's Constitution, John made this statement: For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:3-5 Being born again isn't a religious term. It is what has to happen before you become a citizen of the Lord God's Kingdom.
As it was in colonial times, the Governor is the most important person in the colony. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit, our Kingdom Governor, there would be chaos everywhere--which we see in abundance in the world! But if you are being governed by the Holy Spirit, that chaos will not rule over your life! When you are led by the Holy Spirit, His peace surrounds you like a wall around the ancient kingdoms we have read about. His peace keeps the chaos of the world at bay, unable to penetrate that wall, unable to get IN you! You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Isaiah 26:3 Remember that earth is a colony of heaven. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s; but the earth He has given to the children of men. Psalm 115:16
The main role of the Holy Spirit as Governor is to teach His citizens the ways of the homeland, which is heaven. This is why it is vital that we be filled with His Spirit. It is His plan for His citizens. King Jesus revealed the work of the Holy Spirit: But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [in the future]. He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you. John 16:13-15 AMP
Kingdom citizenship is a privilege granted by the Lord God. It has a process, created by God, and we cannot skip steps. In order for one to become a citizen, you must first be born again, not just a member of a religious organization. There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” We cannot even SEE the Kingdom until we are born again! If we understand this, we will understand why people do not believe when we speak about God's Kingdom government.
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water (natural birth) and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:1-8
Then we must be full of His Word. It is our nourishment and the language of the Holy Spirit. Know it and have faith in it!
Remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in the King's Word.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
