Don't just be a citizen – be an ambassador
Luke 17:20-22 (NIV)
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you."
Looking around at the condition of the world I am ever aware that this is the moment for something that represents God well to arise. I'm not talking about religion, that will be of no help at all, but rather God lovers – kingdom-minded, sold out people! People of all nationalities, cultures, denominational histories, that have the same King, kingdom and cause in common. People that want to represent God's kingdom well in the lives they live beyond two hours on a Sunday morning. People that carry God's kingdom wherever they go because they have realised they are now citizens of it and that it now lives in and through them.
Citizenship to the kingdom of God becomes yours only when you believe in Jesus and are born again.
John 3:3
In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
So it is a citizenship right that, like so many natural ones, is yours by birth; but there is a difference with this citizenship – though you are born into your first one (natural, earthly) this one (the kingdom) is born into you, the residency is internal.
Our cities need people who are not just citizens (passport holders, entitled to heaven after death) but ambassadors (those who live it out) – there is a difference. I am very much a Brit. I have a British passport, and am also very British in how I act – wherever I happen to find myself in the world, the way I live out my life wherever I am reveals me as one, not just my legal documents. In the same way, may I not just have the passport or legal documents for God's kingdom but live daily like a citizen of it.
What are we doing when we are "doing Church"? Hopefully we are birthing, raising up and mobilising kingdom-minded people – people who know their true citizenship is to an eternal kingdom, to which they truly belong – one for which they live with all they are.
Bless you,
Andy
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