“ . . . in God’s kingdom, all its citizens have this in common: we’re all transplants. None of us was born a citizen in his kingdom. We were born into enemy territory, and each of us was personally sought after by the King, bought by the King’s blood, and graciously enrolled by him as citizens in his kingdom. None of us deserves membership in that glorious family, let alone the royal benefits that go with it.
All over the world there are people who right now are being sought by the King. As citizens in his kingdom, we have the privilege of bearing before them the marks of kingdom citizenship and showing them the way out of darkness. The world desperately needs the church to be the church, reflecting the kingdom of God so that those who are lost will know where to turn when their own kingdoms begin to collapse.
One of the reasons Jesus hasn’t returned to consummate his kingdom is that he’s busy seeking new citizens. The only requirement for their becoming a citizen of God’s kingdom is to repent of their refusal to bow the knee to King Jesus in humble, glad submission. But all who turn from their sin and turn to Christ in faith take up residence with us in the kingdom of God. And when this happens, their lives will begain to change as they join us in bearing the characteristics of our King.
Yes, opposition will arise from both the outside and the inside. But as hostile forces try to divert us from the narrow road, we’ll move forward with confidence, knowing there’s a day coming when we’ll join heavenly voices declaring, ‘The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever’ (Revelation 11:15).”
Tullian Tchividjian in Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different, pp. 78-79.
Posted by Jimmy D. 
