Royalty

I was doing my devotional in "31 Days of Praise" by Ruth and Warren Myers recently and the Holy Spirit stopped me at the line, "How wonderful that You, the high King of heaven, enthroned far above all other powers in heaven and earth, have bestowed on me the royal dignity of being Your child and heir!"  

Think about this for a few minutes.  We are royal.  We are children and heirs of the most High God.  Romans 8:16-17 For His Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children.  And since we are His children, we are heirs of God's glory.  But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.    1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.  

As I thought about this statement in the devotional, I realized I never think about this truth.  Like a young child born into a royal family, I run around not realizing my true identity and heritage.  I just "be a kid."  But eventually that child matures and with that maturity takes on the responsibilities of their station in life.  They come to know their true identity is royalty and with it comes the dignity and responsibility of that position.  They are no longer running around playing in the mud and climbing trees, but are taking on the duties of an adult in the kingdom.  Their actions now reflect their new level of maturity and in that way they represent their monarchy.  

When I am born again, I am born into a royal family.  I don't know much in the beginning of my new life.  I'm a baby Christian. I am not meant to stay there though.  As I grow, I follow what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:11 "When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things."  I learn my true identity in Christ and show more and more of His character.  I now have the responsibility to share the Gospel, work for the kingdom and show His love and glory to those around me.  From the devotional: "I have been linked to the greatest possible purposes, the highest of all reasons for living: to know You and love You...to show Your love to other people...to glorify You...and to enjoy You now and forever."

As we grow in Christ, we grow in responsibility.  But we also are given authority and privilege.  We have authority to work in the Name of Jesus Christ...His work,  Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.   We also have the privilege of being called His children. 

Romans 1:5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Romans 5:2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Philippians 1:29 For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him.

Lord, what an amazing gift You've given.  We are Your royal children.  We desire to grow into that honor and title.  Help us to put away childish things and take up the mantle of Christ, to Your glory. Help us remember who we are.  Forgive us when we forget.  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Practice remembering who you are in Christ.  

Ephesians 1:5 God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family, bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.