There Is No Difference

It makes no difference what race of people one belongs to. If they show deep reverence for God, and are committed to doing what’s right, they are acceptable before Him.  Acts 10:35 TPT

It’s easy to look back to our grandparents era and imagine it must have been the good old days of our country, imagining that they really asked and trusted God, that our national anthem was almost a prayer asking God to keep our land glorious and free. 

And it’s easy to look around today and feel like our position as a nation under God is slipping away. Yet we—the squarely under-God Church—don’t ever need to respond to changing times with fear, anger, or vengeance! Why? Because Jesus Christ, our leader, lives in God’s house. He lives in us. The Church. 

Therefore the Church, His body in Christ, you - me, we - owe allegiance to our Savior.  As Jesus-followers, we don’t just go to church, we are the Church, and we exist for the world.  

1 Peter 2:9 TPT  But you are God’s chosen treasure—priests who are kings, a spiritual “nation” set apart as God’s devoted ones. He called you out of darkness to experience His marvelous light, and now He claims you as His very own. He did this so that you would broadcast His glorious wonders throughout the world.

Jesus made it clear that we become citizens of the Kingdom of God by putting our faith in Jesus and giving our lives to be His follower and friend.

Being a citizen of God’s Kingdom gives us incredible rights. We’re adopted into God’s family and given full access to God as His son or daughter. We can approach our King boldly and pray in Jesus’ name. We can overcome the power sin had over our lives by tapping into the same power that brought Jesus back to life. 

We will escape the sting of death by passing from this life into Heaven when we die.

Luke 11:1-2 NET Now Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” So He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, may Your name be honored; may Your kingdom come. 

Remember what we are asking with that prayer. Being a citizen of God’s Kingdom also gives us incredible responsibilities. As citizens of a heavenly nation, we’re His ambassadors to wherever we live on Earth!

We know His power comes from prayer, not public-opinion polls. Despite controversial headlines every evening, His mercies are new every morning. We—not a political party, not a country, not a government—we the Church are one nation under God.

Lamentations 3:22-23 CSB  Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

As Christ’s we are not elected by people. We are chosen and appointed by God! He offers us acceptance and purpose. When we believe He has chosen us, even the deepest feelings of rejection can be replaced. When we believe we’re appointed for His work, that lack of self-worth is turned upside down.

As Christ’s, we also carry His name and His message. When Jesus was on Earth, He was the light of the world. But now He calls us that! Can you imagine? You me.... light carriers. The world is getting darker. Christians are being persecuted in horrifying numbers. But just like we see in Acts, the Church only grows stronger when we’re persecuted.

And when the world grows darker, the light shines brighter! 

Whoa. God, thank You for bringing us together into Your family and giving us roles in Your Kingdom.