Daily Worship

Another Kingdom

Albert Bogle May 31, 2021 0 1
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Romans 8: 12-17 (NIVUK)

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’ 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

There is something deeply inspiring about these verses. We are told that as believers we have an obligation to fulfil to God. If you look at a legal definition of obligation today, it

means a legal tie (vinculum iuris) by which one or more parties (obligants) are bound to perform or refrain from performing specified conduct. In the case of the Christian we have  got an obligation to God to live as his sons and daughters. We need to start believing that there is a beauty in all of us, his beauty. We need to stop using our old identity and start living and using our new identity. No doubt we will face challenges and even suffer for our faith, but as the text says “…we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” For society to change outriders are required, people who offer an alternative perspective and alternative kingdom.

 

Dual Citizenship Not An option

 

Lord,

I know I’ve been using my old passport

Pretending I have dual citizenship

It’s easier to get through the day

To get through the check out

To flash the old passport

If I show my new passport

My photograph has changed

My name is not the same

I’m a citizen of another Kingdom

I belong to an alternative government

I could be taken as a spy

I might have to challenge government policies

I may not have diplomatic immunity

I will get held up

Asked questions

I could even be detained

Challenged

Yet Lord Jesus,

I have an obligation

To my King and my country

I have an obligation

To His policies

His Kingdom values

I gave an obligation

To admit

I belong to your Kingdom

And to live out your likeness in me.

Forgive my double standards

My double life

Today I’m claiming my inheritance

From now on

I’m using my Kingdom identity

In His Majesty’s Service — 00 Heaven