Check Your Citizenship

Citizen Up

I voted today.  Not that I felt like most of the candidates fit my worldview.  I certainly don’t attest to the integrity of most.  But I voted because it is my privilege of a citizen of this nation.  And I proudly wear the sticker.

But I’m not just a citizen of this country in which I live physically…

A Prince, A King & A Kingdom

Isaiah prophesied about Jesus Christ that He would be called the “Prince of Peace.”  Well, since He is a Prince, then we know that His Father must be the King of Peace.  And since there is a King of Peace, then there must be a Kingdom of Peace.

Now, when a person chooses to make God the King of their life, then they become a citizen of His Kingdom… a Kingdom of Peace.  And that makes believers citizens of Peace, the place where they dwell.

Provision & Protection

The Apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 that, as citizens of God’s Kingdom, we “will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.  His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a place I want to live… a Kingdom where the King exceeds my expectations and the Prince protects me.

But do we?  Do we dwell in peace?  Do we let peace guide us and direct us?  Do we let peace determine how we think, speak and behave?  Do we prove that we are citizens who live in a Kingdom of Peace ruled by a King of Peace and His Son, the Prince of Peace.

Bought & Paid For

My freedom to vote was bought by others who put their lives on the line for me to have that right here in my earthly country.  And my right to live in the Kingdom of Peace was bought by the Prince who put His life on the line to offer me citizenship.  When I voted today, I affirmed and celebrated my citizenship.  And when I choose to live in peace, I affirm and celebrate my citizenship in God’s Kingdom.

Peaceful Sleep Tonight

So, since my Heavenly citizenship overrides my earthly citizenship, I do not have to fret about the election returns tonight.  I’ll probably watch… and I have an opinion.  But regardless of the outcome of this election, my citizenship in the Kingdom of Peace is secure.  At the end of the night, “In peace I will lie down and sleep,” (Psalm 4:8) because my citizenship affords me that freedom and privilege.

If you are not experiencing peace in a significant way in your life right now, I’d like to encourage you to renew your citizenship in God’s Kingdom of Peace.  The only ID you will need to show is that you have accepted His Son, the Prince of Peace… Jesus.  And then live in that peace that He offers to you.

Peace… It’s a great place to live!

Author: Allen Chapin

- Christian, husband, dad, friend, leader, author and speaker - Life Purpose = Love & Encourage, Offering Grace & Hope - Life Motto = Living for the applause of nail-scarred hands - Life Verse = Matthew 25:21 View all posts by Allen Chapin