We are Royalty! Believe It and Live It.

The idea of royalty today is not the same as how it was viewed in Paul's day or Old Testament times. When we think of the royal family of England, we typically expect some degree of noble character along with certain desirable characteristics. There should be evidence of these same characteristics in our lives as Christians also. These characteristics include dignity, charm in personality, grace towards the rich and poor alike, and while they do not exercise the absolute powers of the royalty of Paul's day or of those in the Old Testament, they do maintain certain prerogatives of authority. Those who interact with them show respect towards their royal position. They seem to have no limitation of wealth. The riches displayed in their clothing, possessions, and jewels gives the impression of unlimited resources. They are free to go wherever they want and do what they want within their entire realm.

This illustration should give us a vivid example and picture of what Christian living should look like. We, too, should display nobility, charm, authority, wealth, and freedom. Our God invites us to believe that these spiritual qualities and prerogatives may and should be enjoyed by every child of the King of kings. If that's not the case, it's not because they are beyond our reach. Instead, it is because we are living below our privileges. We fail to recognize who we are and what we have from and through God. God is always generous and liberal with His gifts. If it's His love, it is "love that passeth knowledge." If it's joy, it is "joy unspeakable and full of glory." If it's peace, it is "peace that passeth all understanding." Our God is the God of excellence and supremacy.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves living on a scale far below our spiritual resources. We don't consider ourselves "more than conquerors." Instead of reigning over our lives, our circumstances, and our sins, we often find ourselves under their dominion.

We need to recognize, as Scripture teaches, that we are royalty and should be reigning as such. Reigning implies that there are subjects. So what are these subjects that we are to reign over? Let me give you 5 examples; sin, circumstances, frustration, our emotional state, and fear.

Sin. "Sin shall not have dominion over you." Romans 6:9, 14. If we are living under the dominion of sin it is either because we are ignorant of the way of deliverance or because we flat out desire it and don't want to be delivered. The provision for full liberation from sin's bondage has been made through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

Circumstances. We either reign over our circumstances or they reign over us. There is no middle ground. We don't have any excuse for not being able to reign over every circumstance in our lives, through Jesus Christ. Paul lists the worst possible circumstances that we as Christians could find ourselves. Tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword. Then he adds, "Nay in all these things (all these circumstances we can find ourselves in) we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" Romans 8:35, 37.

Frustration. Frustration is something that attacks all of us, and is usually accompanied by its cousin, impatience. We all find ourselves being dominated by frustration when we don't submit to the lordship of Christ. Frustration can be minimized by embracing the will of God as a rule for our lives. This idea was prophesied of Jesus Christ before His birth and lived out in His life, "I delight to do thy will, O my God '' Psalm 40:8. When we make our life's purpose one of doing God's will, we experience joy and peace.

Emotional State. In many homes and workplaces there is a state of constant tension and discord because someone in that environment doesn't know how or what it means to reign over their emotional states. They often bring this tension with them wherever they go. We should keep in mind that our feelings and emotions are reflections of our inner being. If we are undisciplined , our feelings will be undisciplined as well. If our relationship with the Lord is at the center or core of our being, it is the Lord that will cause us to reign over our emotions.

Fear. Fear frequently has a basis in reality, but oftentimes, it is something that is intangible. We should not let fear dictate or rule our lives. Some people let it reign over them and they begin to fear everything unknown. The result is that it stifles their lives and they begin to fear making decisions, taking responsibility, or moving forward. When we find ourselves getting buried in our fears, we need to remember the promises of God. "I will never leave thee, or forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, 'The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear." The ever-present God is there to reinforce the weak human will.

As a child of the King of kings, we ought to live as royalty. God has provided every resource for us to do so, and He is always right by our side to gently remind us of who we are. What things are hindering us or holding us back from living a fearless life, full of joy, going through difficult times with the right attitude and ruling over sin that tries to creep into our life? And it is all much bigger than living a comfortable, carefree life. It's all about using this freedom towards service for the One who loves and cares for us as His children.

Pastor Bryan