Keep this in mind, that people who adhere to some religious group, including "Christians" consider themselves members of that group, which they perceive as a religious and spiritual relationship with that organization or fraternity. Now keep in mind, the term "Christians" refers to an individual who adheres to or sympathized with the "Christian faith", and is identified both inside and outside that faith as a religious entity.
However, the concept of kingdom is completely opposite to the concept of religion. A kingdom consists of a king with citizens. Citizenship is essentially a legal entity with rights and privileges protected by a constitutional commitment of the king and his government. Remember, that too many "Christians" are religious people, but citizens of the kingdom are legal people; legal in the sense that by virtue of a spiritual birth each individual in the kingdom has the right and blessings of citizens of this heavenly kingdom. We must be delivered from our religious mindset and have our thinking readjusted so that we can take on a legal mindset. Now, religious people have no rights, but legal people do. God has always desired sons who are citizens of His kingdom, possessing the legal right to be part of His family. Citizenship is always considered a privilege in all kingdoms and nations and is usually reserved for those born into that nation or kingdom. There are special situations where one can become a citizen through privileges extended by the governing authority, but birthright is the guaranteed form of sonship and the resulting rights of citizenship. In Jesus, these precious rights are conferred to everyone who trusts in Him.
Constitutional Scripture: John 1:12-13
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. 13) Children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Constitutional Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21) who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
Please note: Now something that you may or may not have known, that the term "Christian" was originally a derogatory label,which literally means "little Christ", given by pagans. The followers of Christ, through the centuries, have generally accepted the term and bore it with honor. Yet the term Christian occurs only three times in the Scriptures:
Constitutional Scriptures: Read Acts 26:28-29 and I Peter 4:16
The Apostles were first called "Christian" at Antioch.
Constitutional Scripture: Acts 11:25-26
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
King Agrippa made this statement to Paul:
Constitutional Scripture: Acts 26-28
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian".
Peter had adopted this name "Christian".
Constitutional Scripture: II Peter 4:16
Yet if anyone suffers as a "Christian", let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in this matter.
Please note: My words to all those who read this: If you allow anyone to name you, they will eventually define you.
However, the concept of kingdom is completely opposite to the concept of religion. A kingdom consists of a king with citizens. Citizenship is essentially a legal entity with rights and privileges protected by a constitutional commitment of the king and his government. Remember, that too many "Christians" are religious people, but citizens of the kingdom are legal people; legal in the sense that by virtue of a spiritual birth each individual in the kingdom has the right and blessings of citizens of this heavenly kingdom. We must be delivered from our religious mindset and have our thinking readjusted so that we can take on a legal mindset. Now, religious people have no rights, but legal people do. God has always desired sons who are citizens of His kingdom, possessing the legal right to be part of His family. Citizenship is always considered a privilege in all kingdoms and nations and is usually reserved for those born into that nation or kingdom. There are special situations where one can become a citizen through privileges extended by the governing authority, but birthright is the guaranteed form of sonship and the resulting rights of citizenship. In Jesus, these precious rights are conferred to everyone who trusts in Him.
Constitutional Scripture: John 1:12-13
Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. 13) Children born not of natural descent, not of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
Constitutional Scripture: Philippians 3:20-21
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21) who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.
Please note: Now something that you may or may not have known, that the term "Christian" was originally a derogatory label,which literally means "little Christ", given by pagans. The followers of Christ, through the centuries, have generally accepted the term and bore it with honor. Yet the term Christian occurs only three times in the Scriptures:
Constitutional Scriptures: Read Acts 26:28-29 and I Peter 4:16
The Apostles were first called "Christian" at Antioch.
Constitutional Scripture: Acts 11:25-26
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26) And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
King Agrippa made this statement to Paul:
Constitutional Scripture: Acts 26-28
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian".
Peter had adopted this name "Christian".
Constitutional Scripture: II Peter 4:16
Yet if anyone suffers as a "Christian", let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in this matter.
Please note: My words to all those who read this: If you allow anyone to name you, they will eventually define you.