On April 29, 2011, a Royal Wedding took place in England.
Prince William of Wales married the love of his life, Miss Catherine Middleton. Now, Kate is not the “kind” of girl that the prince was expected to marry; she’s a mere commoner. And although Prince William could have any woman in the world, he chose this commoner-Catherine Middleton-to be his bride. Because he chose her and she accepted, she became a Royal Princess, and was added to the British Royal Family. They will live in a castle fit for a king and live happily ever after. A real-life fairytale!
Ahhhh, to be Royalty! Just imagine being a real princess (or prince), the daughter (son) of a king! I mean, I’ve always wanted to be a princess. And in my mind, I am definitely Queen material!
Can you imagine, living in a Royal Palace? Can you imagine being an heir of the King?
Well, according to God’s Word, if you have obeyed the Gospel of Christ, YOU ARE ROYALTY! 1 Peter 2:9 says that “You are a chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation, A People for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of Darkness into His marvelous Light” (emphasis added).
YOU are a Royal Priesthood. YOU are Royalty.
A royal life in Christ is contrary to the lives of the British Royal Family. Members of the British Royal Family live lavish lives of self-exaltation. They have placed themselves above others, and demand to be revered and served. However, Heirs of Christ the King are called to humble themselves and serve others, rather than exalting themselves and being served. “ Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:4-8).
Jesus’ greatest command for us is love: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Therefore, in order to live a royal life in Christ, you must be willing to love and serve.
The life of a British royal is exclusive to the British Monarchy, and is passed down to those “lucky” enough to be born into the British Royal Family. For the rest of us, it’s “tough luck!” We have no hope of ever becoming royalty (unless you’re “lucky” Kate).
But a royal life in Jesus Christ is free, and everyone is invited to become a member of His Royal Family. “And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17; emphasis mine). God loves us so much! It is His desire that everyone accept His invitation (1Timothy 2:4), which is His gift to you (Ephesians 2:8-9). When you accept God’s gift of Salvation, you are no longer hopeless, but have gained the living hope of Eternal Life in Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:3; Titus 1:2).
A royal life in the British Monarchy is temporary, and will end in death (or an overthrow). But a royal life in Jesus Christ is eternal. Through the resurrection of Jesus, your inheritance, which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, is reserved in Heaven for you (1 Peter 1:3-4). The Kingdom of Heaven awaits the Royal Priesthood of Christ the King.
In Matthew 22:1-14, Jesus compares the Kingdom of Heaven—Our Palace—to a King who gave a Wedding Feast for his son. The ones whom the King invited were unwilling to attend. Even though all things were prepared and ready for the feast, the invited guests thought they had better things to do. This angered the King. The invited guests’ rejection of the King’s invitation proved themselves unworthy, and they remained outside in the darkness. The King then sent out his servants to the main highways to invite as many people as they could find. Soon, the wedding hall was filled with people from all walks of live—people both good and evil—to be the dinner guests at the Wedding Feast.
While inside the Royal Palace, a “Wedding Crasher” was spotted by the King; he was the one not wearing the proper wedding attire. “How did you come in here without wedding clothes?” the King asked. The man was speechless. The King had the uninvited guest bound and thrown outside into the darkness—a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth. “For many are called, but few are chosen (Matthew 22:13).
–Crysti Haywood
(Continued in Part 2)
