Royalty

Through his grace, God has made us “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1: 3-6). By his work for us and in us, by our cooperating with him, we become his spiritual children and “heirs of God” and “joint-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8: 17). Peter referred to believers as a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2: 9), and John said God made us “kings and priests unto God” (Revelation 1: 6). In other words as we cooperate with God through faith in the person of Jesus Christ, we become royalty in the spiritual realm. God can take someone who is beaten down by life’s traps and torments with no self-esteem, and no matter what has happened to you or what you have done, he sees you as royalty because of what Jesus has done for you. He accepts you, he loves you, he has a good plan for you, and he will faithfully walk with you as he guides you into that wonderful plan he has for your life. This is a beautiful arrangement.

You might see yourself as a prostitute – God sees you as a princess. You might see yourself as an addict – God sees you as an ambassador to represent him to others. You might see yourself as a good person – that is far short of what God sees; God sees you as a gloriously shining star who he has strategically placed to enlighten the darkness around you. It is not about you. It is about Jesus. You need to understand that Jesus did a perfect work for you, and by turning from your life and your experience, and your point of view, and turning to embrace him, your faith plugs you in to that perfect work. Everything about us is imperfect. Everything about Jesus is perfect. Through faith in him, his perfection is put to your account. His royal position is put to your account, for you are “in Christ” by faith. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5: 17). We are partakers of all that he is, for it says, “as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4: 17). The King of kings wants to reign through us for the good of all, and as we allow him to have his way, we become partakers of his royalty and of his glory – “we pray always for you…that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in him…he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1: 11, 12; 2: 14). You are royalty, called to reign with and work together with him, and be a sharer in his glory (Galations 1: 23, 24). Conduct yourself as such.

Who redeems your life from destruction; who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies (Psalms 103:4)

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