Towards the end of the chapter, as Paul is about to be flogged, he mentions that he is a citizen of
The Power of Citizenship.
During the dialogue between Paul and the centurion we come to find out Paul was born a citizen, which gives him a leg up on the centurion ,who bought his citizenship. Paul was not just a citizen, he was born a citizen!
This got me thinking about citizenship and all the benefits of citizenship today. How hard it is for immigrants to become a citizen and so on…
The spiritual nature of citizenship then came to the forefront of my thinking. When we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, we become citizens of a ‘new country,’ the kingdom of the Son God loves (Colossians 1:9). And being part of that kingdom has incredible benefits.
I just finished teaching about the authority we have in Jesus as children of God, co-heirs with Jesus and citizens of God’s kingdom. There is power in our citizenship in God’s kingdom. There are blessings which come with our citizenship in God’s kingdom (Ephesians 1). It makes a difference if you are part of God’s kingdom.
Have you been transferred (Colossians 1:9) into God’s kingdom through faith in Jesus? Do you believe in Jesus? Have you confessed Jesus as Lord of your life? If you have, then you are a citizen of God’s kingdom. And that is GREAT NEWS!
Lord, thank you for transporting me into Your kingdom. Help me appropriate all the blessings and authority and power that comes with being part of your kingdom. I pray this not for my sake… that I might have a cushy life. NO, I pray this so that I might be your agent and ambassador extending Your kingdom to the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name and for the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray. Amen.
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