A CUP OF COLD WATER

 ‘IN CHRIST’- MADE BRAND NEW- PART ONE

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The moment you ask Jesus Christ into your life, you become a brand new person on the inside, and even though your physical appearance and thinking have not changed, your new life has begun. This new life is the life of living in Christ, which is living in God’s kingdom and under His dominion, while still living in the world. As a follower of Jesus, you are a kingdom citizen, and like a citizen of any country, you have rights, privileges and responsibilities of a citizen of God’s kingdom. In this first part of a two part series of ‘In Christ- Made Brand New’, we will discuss some of our rights and privileges, whilst in the second part, we will discuss our responsibilities as kingdom citizens.

At creation, God made all humanity in His image and likeness, so that we would be one with him as one big family. However, sin entered the human race and we lost God’s image and likeness. Once we become a follower of Jesus, we regain God’s image and likeness and have the right to be called ‘children of God’ and to call God ‘Father’. That is our birth right, our legal entitlement which comes with our new birth. As God’s children, we are under His personal care, just like children are under the care of their parents. He takes care of our needs, trains and disciplines us, just like a father would his children, so that our lifestyle showcases the kingdom norms and values to the world. His intent is that we become worthy kingdom ambassadors and representatives wherever we find ourselves, seeking His interest of winning humanity back to Himself.  

Our privileges as kingdom citizens, some of which are presented below, are the many great promises and assurances in God’s word, the Holy Bible. 

• We are loved by God unconditionally, not only when we are good. God demonstrated His love to us by sending Jesus to die for us while we were sinners, separated from Him. 

• He forgives us when we do wrong things and go to Him in repentance. 

• Every day, He shows us new mercies by not dealing with us as we deserve to be dealt with.

• God orders our paths to places and situations He has prepared for us to be a blessing to others. 

• He provides what we need to help us accomplish His tasks and to do good works on His behalf. 

• We receive guidance, help, and comfort for our everyday life from His word, the Holy Bible.

• When we need wisdom in any situation, we just need to ask Him and He will make His will known for every situation. 

• When we pray for anything, person or situation, we are assured that God hears us and will answer us. 

• When we face trials, unforeseen circumstances, challenges and temptations, God helps us to overcome them and we come out victorious. 

• When we feel hurt, pain and disappointments, He comforts us and helps us heal in the healing process.

• God is with us at all times, wherever we are, because He promised never to leave or forsake us. 

• He protects us from harm and danger, by being a present help in such situations. 

• He provides all our daily needs so that we are not in lack of anything that we need. 

• With His help we can live life to the full now, while we look forward to living forever with Him when our life on earth ends. 

All these privileges are also extended to our succeeding generations who become followers of Jesus. The proviso to these rights and privileges is that we remain followers of Jesus. As we have believed in Him for our salvation, let us keep on believing and keep on surrendering to Him and we can enjoy all the rights and privileges of a child of God and kingdom citizen.