KING!

I was there all of last week. In Midland, TX, approximately 300 miles west of our fair city, Dallas. The former is a metropolis about 100,000 strong that sits on the Permian Basin—source of a fifth of the nation’s petroleum and natural gas. It also has the distinction of being the hometown of current U.S. President, George W. Bush, and his wife Laura. Actually the President was born in New Haven, Connecticut, but was raised and married in Midland (to a local lass, Laura). And it was in this town that I had the delightful privilege of seeing dermatology patients for five days, filling in for a fellow-physician on vacation (Thanks, all of y’all, office and clinic staff, for the pleasant and productive week!)

The fact that I set foot upon soil trodden by a sitting President is, of course, not a big deal. No credit accrues to me. No honor spills over upon me. No luster is lent to my reputation for having had a connection, and that a rather tenuous one, with the hometown of the chief executive of the United States. Nothing for me to boast about.

There is, however, another association I have with another Executive, the Chief of all other chieftains, sheikhs, tsars, bigwigs, and potentates—an association that I can proudly boast about.

But He who boasts
is to boast in the Lord.
2 Corinthians 10:17

… for he is Lord of lords,
and King of kings.
Revelation 17:14

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I am a child of God, a son of the King.

See how great a love
the Father has bestowed on us,
that we would be called
children of God.
1 John 3:1

Indeed, the Bible asserts that all believers, as children of this Real King, the True King, the Only King—the King who never loses referendums, elections, or battles—are corporately a kingdom of priests, a royal priesthood.

… and He [Jesus Christ]
has made us to be a kingdom,
priests to His God and Father ….
Revelation 1:6

But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people for God’s own possession,
so that you may proclaim
the excellencies of Him
who has called you out of darkness
into His marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

A singular calling indeed. A unique honor. An august entitlement. A calling that has some magnificent consequences.

You have made them to be
a kingdom and priests to our God;
and they will reign upon the earth.
Revelation 5:10

The children of the King will rule! What a glorious privilege. But this honor is not without present responsibilities.

… you also, as living stones,
are being built up
as a spiritual house
for a holy priesthood,
to offer up spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God
through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:5

Spiritual sacrifices comprising our talents, gifts, resources, means, time, and, indeed, our own lives, our—everything.

Therefore I urge you, brethren,
by the mercies of God,
to present your bodies
a living and holy sacrifice,
acceptable to God,
which is your spiritual service
of worship.
Romans 12:1

This is the will of God. This is the inescapable duty that accompanies our calling.
His pervasive “kingship” includes everybody, overshadows everything, owns all. Therefore to Him, everything is owed. We and all ours. A living and holy sacrifice to the King.