In most instances we tend to misunderstand the meaning, responsibilities, duties, advantages and expectations concerning a Christian. Someone may ask a question like: what is a South African? The answer being : A South African is a person who belongs to and is a citizen of the Republic of South Africa. Likewise, a Christian is a person who belongs to and is a citizen of the Kingdom of God .
To be a citizen of the Kingdom of God means that you live under the reign and Lordship of King Jesus. He is the King of Kingdom . If you leave your country and travel to another country and want to take out citizenship , you will have to meet certain criteria. To be a citizen of the Kingdom of God, you have to fulfill two.
1. REPENT
To repent means to turn around and go in the other direction. Stop going your way or the world’s way. Start going Jesus’ way. Do not make yourself a secret believer but talk to others about all that Jesus has done for you, because He once said:’ If anyone is ashamed of me and my Word, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the father and the Holy Angels. (Luke 9:26).
2. BELIEVE
We tend to feel that faith is a useful attribute that will get us through life‘s difficulties, but faith alone is not a useful attribute. Christian faith has an objective. A Christian is in a person called Jesus Christ. Christian faith believes that the Gospel or Good News is that God came to planet Earth to die in my place on a cross. He paid the price for my sins and rose from the dead gaining three things.
Firstly, through the cross He saves me from my sins. Secondly, He gained the victory over satan; and thirdly, He assures me that I too will rise from the dead. Christians who take Jesus at His Word, can be assured of forgiveness, salvation and heaven, because whoever hears and believes has eternal life and will not be condemned. He has crossed over from death to life.
Once you are a Christian. You become aware that in the infinite past , before the creation of matter, time and space ,God chose you to be His. This means God’s eyes have always been on you. Now all citizens of the Kingdom of God are privileged to be His chosen people and His own children.
In the Old Testament, we find a group of men known as priests. Their function was, among other things , to present the people’s sacrifices to God. So, because our Lord Jesus Christ was the last Priest (sacrificing Himself at Calvary as the final sacrifice for sin and accepted by the Father) there is no more a need for a sacrificing priesthood.
The only priesthood left is the full company of believers presenting the sacrifice of praise and holy living to God. Now all citizens of the Kingdom of God are privileged to his Royal Priesthood. Coupled to the joy of salvation we need to know that Christianity is a difficult life to live but a divine privilege from God.
There are many pains frustrations and disappointments to encounter before you reach the land of glory. Christians were arrested, set on fire and used as human torches to light up the Roman emperor’s garden. They were sewn into animal skins and thrown to wild dogs and lions to be mauled .
The Christian life is filled with pain in this world and you’d better get used to it. Many of your family and friends will desert, reject or argue with you once Jesus become your Lord.
You might feel you are frozen out of friendships everywhere. Remember ,life here is temporary; you are a stranger here who is just passing through. Your true home is in heaven with Jesus Christ. God bless.
Message given by Pastor Andrias Tumahole,Pilgrim Church Ministry
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