Children of The King

We are God's children. -Romans 8:16-


For many British subjects, the royal family is no longer a symbol of national pride but a royal embarrassment!

Granted, the rabid British tabloid newspapers focus a hostile spotlight on them. At such close range, it singes the inhabitants of the House of Windsor. Even so, the flood of negative press-from Fergie's sunbathing to Prince Charles' strange phone conversations-has Britons wondering: Why can't the royal family act a bit more, uh, regal?

It's a tough but true principle: With royal benefits come royal responsibilities and public accountabilities. The same principle holds true for those of us who are members of god's royal family.

As today's passage reminds us, becasue we have put our faith in Christ, we are children of God. And because we are children of the King, we are joint-heirs with Jesus (Rom. 8:17). One of our responsibilities as god's children is to exhibit a lifestyle compatible with our royal heritage (Col. 1:10-14).

Mere humans would collapse under the weight of such lofty expectations (as our British royal friends demonstrate). But God has taken care of that for us by graciously giving us His Holy Spirit. In the Spirit's power we can live a life that pleases God (Rom. 8:13-14).

If we try to live as God's royal family in our own strength, it's not going to happen (v.8). God has set us free from this cycle of failure. Far from condemning our inability, God instead gives us His Spirit to help us.

I wouldn't pretend to judge the British royal family. I'm just glad (speaking as one heir to another) that I don't have to function under that kind of pressure!

Written By John Carvalho
Campus Journal Volume 3