I have always been fascinated by Monaco. It is a city for the rich and famous in the South of France. If I were James Bond, I would vacation in Monaco when there were no super-villains to chase. When I was a kid, Wide World of Sports would show the Grand Prix of Monaco and it seemed like a paradise of sun, sea, and opulence.
But Monaco is a tiny place. Only 36,000 people live in this independent city state. It is its own country with its own rewards and a very limited citizenry
So, imagine what would happen if the prince of Monaco announced, “Anyone who moved to Monaco and became a citizen of the kingdom would receive a billion dollars after five years. How many people would book tickets to Monaco?
But there would be some stipulations if you wanted to receive the “treasure of the kingdom.” You have to obey the rules of the king.
You Must Enter the Kingdom
This may seem like a no brainer, but to receive the billion dollars you will have to enter the kingdom of Monaco. Believing in the Prince won’t cut it. When I hear the story of the prince and his prize, I may get a warm feeling in my heart. I may want the prince to be my friend. But those do not put me in position for the treasure. Can you imagine the look on the face of the Prince if someone were to stand just over the border from his kingdom and yell, “I have faith in you!” but never bother to come into his kingdom?
Becoming a Christian is not accomplished solely by having faith in Jesus as our Savior. I can fully believe in Jesus as the Son of God and that he is capable of forgiving my sins and delivering eternal life. But none of that puts me in the kingdom. None of that makes me a citizen or puts me in position to receive the rewards of the kingdom. Jesus promises a better reward for entering a better kingdom. “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world”-Matthew 25:34
Citizenship Carries Consequences
Understanding the kingdom of heaven is a little like understanding the kingdom of Monaco. If I become a citizen of Monaco, I literally become a subject of the Prince. He makes the laws and I must follow them. By becoming a citizen of the country, I pledge to make the Prince my lord. Becoming a Christian is no different: “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”-Philippians 2:10-11.
If this imaginary deal with the Prince of Monaco were real, ask yourself these questions.
- Do I want the reward?
- Do I believe the Prince of Monaco can deliver the billion dollars?
- Am I willing to become a citizen of the kingdom to receive it?
- Is it reasonable to ask me to obey the laws of the kingdom to receive the reward?
I assume you would answer yes to all three questions. After all, we are talking about a billion dollars. Now let me ask you three more questions.
- Do you want to live for eternity in heaven with God?
- Do you believe Jesus can forgive your sins through the power of his resurrection?
- Are you willing to make him your Lord and become a citizen of his kingdom?
- Am I willing to live my life by the laws Jesus lays down?
That is the covenant God has made with all mankind. We can go to live with him for eternity if will agree to his covenant (Hebrews 9:15). Do you believe Jesus can deliver on his promise? Do you believe he rose from the dead (Romans 1:4)? Do you believe he can forgive your sins (Colossians 2:12-13)? Will you confess him as your Lord and enter his kingdom (Colossians 1:12-14)? “Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”-John 3:5.
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