Once We Are Born

I was born in Canada and to this day could file for dual citizenship is I chose to do so. My parents were from the United States but were living there, due to my dad’s job, when I came along. We moved back to Texas when I was about two. But being born there gives me an identity not only with my parents country of birth, but also with the actual country where I was born.

I read Acts 22 this week in my NT260 Bible reading.

In this chapter, we see Paul inform his captors about his Roman citizenship and the privileges that afforded him. In fact, when the commander was about to torture Paul, he stopped when he found out Paul was a Roman citizen. He said that he had paid big money to acquire Roman citizenship. Paul said, “I was born a citizen.” The commander stopped the beating.

Our birthplace is important and gives us certain rights. But these do not compare to the privileges we receive when we are “born again”. When we are born into God’s kingdom for eternity. When we accept Jesus as our Savior. This stood out to me in a fresh way when I read this passage. We cannot buy this citizenship as the commander could buy his in Rome, but it is available to everyone who chooses to follow Christ.

Roman citizens may have influence and power, but it does not compare to the influence and power Christ followers have. We have the Holy Spirit’s power in us and when we allow Him to fill us, we have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! Romans 8:11 says…

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

So think for a minute, what do you have because you belong to the Kingdom of Heaven?

• Security of eternal life, based on what Christ has done, not works of our own. (See Ephesians 2:8-10)
• Power to do whatever God asks us to do
• Hope that overcomes any life situation
• Peace in crisis that makes no sense
• Assurance that someone much bigger than us is ruling our world and has a plan for His glory and our good…no matter what.

So, for those who are born again, what should we seek to do with our heavenly citizenship? Our goal on earth is to conform to the image of Christ (see Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 5:1) and allow our faith to spill out on all those He brings across your path. Basically, know Him and make Him known. I consider this much greater than the privilege of being born in Canada or the United States.

As I mentioned last week, I am doing Christine Caine’s study 20/20.

The same day I read Acts 22, I read in 20/20 about how we must be alert to the work of God and people around us on whom we need to shine His love.We have no idea when He is coming back, so we diligently do His work until He does. But we will sleepwalk through life and miss those “moments He’s orchestrated daily and invites us into.” And too often I am not alert enough to even notice.

So, how can I conform to Christ’s image and reflect Him in a world that is desperate for real hope? That is a question I am asking myself. Would you be willing to ask yourself that question too?

Banner photo by Javier de la Maza on Unsplash