Privileged and Responsible

"I'm an American citizen." As such, I enjoy the protection of the Constitution of these United States and the Bill of Rights. I have a right to the benefits provided by our government- justice under law and basic political freedoms. Yes, then too, I have a responsibility to obey the laws of the governmental authority - local, state, and Federal. I spent time on Monday fulfilling a basic obligation of a citizen of this country; doing an annual tax return. Being a citizen is not just a legal definition. Both privilege and responsibility are part of my citizenship.

"I am a citizen of the Kingdom of Christ." This is not a statement of some future reality or a figurative expression without present implications. This is statement of a fact that carries, like my American citizenship, both privilege and responsibility. No one is a citizen of Christ's kingdom by natural birth. We are invited by the King and accept His invitation through faith! In Ephesians 2:12-13 Paul explains this saying, "remember that at that time (that is, before you received Christ Jesus as Savior and King) you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." What then? We begin to live, really live! Or so we should.

In Matthew, chapters 5, 6, and 7, Jesus explains the ways of the Kingdom. He speaks of love, a real and practical love, as a basic principle that should guide us in our daily interactions. He teaches us of trust in God that privileges us with a life without anxiety lived among circumstances that cause 'non-citizens' great worry and fear. He tells us of a profound change in our relationship with God, our Father, that comes from a heart deep desire to please Him. The God we once feared from a distance, we now love and serve with joy. Once early in these chapters and again near the end, Jesus reminds us that entering into the Kingdom, that is, living under the protection of the King and enjoying the privileges of His kingdom, is connected to our choices. "For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." {Matthew 5:20} And again, “Not all people who sound religious are really godly. They may refer to me as ‘Lord,’ but they still won’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The decisive issue is whether they obey my Father in heaven." {Matthew 7:21} True kingdom citizens live profoundly changed lives, from the very core of their beings.

Is Jesus talking about 'getting to go to Heaven when we die' when he speaks of 'entering the Kingdom?' No, He is telling us about getting to bring Heaven to earth while we live! In a discussion about how we live - whether simply to satisfy our basic physical desires and needs, or for something more lasting - Paul says, {Phil. 3:18-20} "I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and all they think about is this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives."

Are you 'in the Kingdom?' Are you embracing the privileges and the responsibilities?
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Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

”‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed (holy, reverenced) be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.