I’m not aware of any kings or queens in my heritage, but I do have a knight among my mother’s side of the family. A very distant relative, Sir Richard Lowther, held Queen Mary of Scotland in custody when she claimed England belonged to Scotland in the 1500’s. There is currently a castle in England under renovation that bears his last name.
At one time, Sir Lowther would have stood before royalty and received his commission: to serve the royal blood with his life. This was not an easy task. His role was to defend his country with fighting skills acquired over years of training for combat. Like all knights, his knighthood was held in high regard by all because of his bravery and willingness to fight to the death. In such a violent era, this commission was taken seriously. It was a great honor that came with much responsibility.
Though Sir Lowther was not of royal blood, his commission was crucial to the success of the kingdom. As children of God – born into royalty – we have no less an honor and responsibility. Our role, however, goes beyond knighthood, or prince or princess status. As the following verses state, we have several titles to bear.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light . . . I Peter 2:9
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Chosen Generation
Though once a pauper in the slums, we have now been chosen by God to be a part of His family in this generation. This is the greatest honor of all. The King Himself thought of us before the world began, and considered our value in His kingdom.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love . . . Ephesians 1:3-4
Royal Priesthood
The priests in the Old Testament had the awesome responsibility to minister to God and the nation of Israel. They sacrificed and interceded for their countrymen in order to keep them right with God. They led the way into holy worship in the temple. Though we are no longer bound to these laws and rituals, we still have the honor of ministering to God. We can, without physical robes and incense, come boldly before God’s throne to worship (Hebrews 4:16).
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. I Peter 2:4-5
Holy Nation
We aren’t just any nation; we are a holy nation. The word “holy” means “set apart.” It includes being “sacred, physically pure, and morally blameless,” like God. If this seems too great a role to fill, remember the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin. That blood makes us right with God, and renders “unholiness” powerless over our lives.
For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6
God’s Own Special People
While the world may say that we are nothing out of the ordinary, God declares us as special. Special indicates that we are different because of the nature of God in us. It had nothing to do with our ability or creativity. It had everything to do with His power – a power that put us directly under Himself.
What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?
For You have made him a little lower than the angels [translated Elohim, another name for God], and You have crowned him with glory and honor. Psalm 8:4-5
Ambassadors and Ministers
Fulfilling the role as an ambassador, or minister of the new covenant, is a great responsibility. It includes accurately representing the nation to which we belong. It is one of the greatest commissions we could be given, for it requires not only being, but living as one of God’s representatives. This includes sharing the message of the Gospel with others while setting an example of godliness to the world.
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3
The Commission in Action
It would be all too easy to sit at home enjoying the benefits of our royal status. We could smile and gloat over our sudden rise to power in the kingdom. We could sip the blessings of royalty from our golden goblets . . . yet still fail to realize what the ultimate purpose of our commission really is. The final purpose is not to enjoy great self-esteem, or a plush lifestyle of royal ease. All of these roles mean we take who we are and go out and do. Like I Peter 1:9 says, it is all to enable us to “proclaim the praises.” It’s more honorable than sitting on England’s throne, guarding the Queen of Scotland, or dwelling in a fortress-like castle. It has rewards reaching far into eternity!
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mark 16:15-18
(For an inspiring song on knowing who you are, be sure to listen to the song in the previous post, “All He Says I Am” by Gateway. For more inspiration, take a peak at the “Your Royalty in Him” page at the top of the page. You’ll never see yourself the same again.)
Christa Madrid 