Tourists, Residents or Citizens?
We have lived in Hungary for nearly sixteen years, and we love it here. At first we had tourist visas, then temporary residence permits. Finally we got permanent registration as residents of Hungary. Now we can stay here for the rest of our life, enjoying all the benefits that Hungary can give `retired` people, including healthcare and free transport.
But we are not full citizens of Hungary. We are British and we have no allegiance to this country, however much we love it. And if ever we commit some misdemeanour, Hungary will deport us back to the UK.
It`s a bit like that with the Kingdom of God. Some people enter as tourists, enjoying what`s on offer but with no commitment. They enjoy Christian events and Christian company, the whole atmosphere of the Kingdom, and sample various churches, conferences and organisations. But they are still citizens of the world.
Some people like the Kingdom so much that they become permanent residents. They enjoy all the benefits of residence and do the things that real citizens do. They may even look and sound like citizens of the Kingdom – but they are still citizens of the world, not committed to the Kingdom. If they try to claim the rights of Kingdom citizenship, they will be thrown out.
So the vital question is this – what is our status in the Kingdom of God? Are we a tourist, a resident, or truly a citizen? Because if we are a tourist who simply likes the atmosphere - or a resident who lives, works and enjoys the benefits but without full allegiance - at the end of the age the King will say “Get away from me, I never knew you, you wicked people”.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I don`t want to be a tourist just enjoying the Kingdom of God, or a resident who looks the part but who doesn`t really belong. I want to be a full citizen with full allegiance to the Kingdom and its King. Today I renounce my citizenship of the world and ask for your grace so that I can enter your Kingdom with the precious citizenship that Jesus won for me. Amen.
Scripture
`Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God`s message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!` Then I will say to them, `I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!`
Matthew 7:22-23, GNB
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Send to a FriendPlease feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
Roger Pook joined the full-time staff of Ellel East in Hungary in January 1996 after a career in language teaching and financial services. He is Regional Director of Ellel for Central and Eastern Europe and together with his wife, Christine, teaches and ministers throughout the former communist world.
Ellel Ministries International is a Christian Mission Organisation with a vision of welcoming people, teaching them about the Kingdom of God and healing those in need. read more...
