(Continued from Part 1)
So, how does one become Royalty, an Heir to the King of King and member of God’s chosen few?
You must BELIEVE that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). “He who disbelieves shall be condemned” (Mark 16:16). “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).
You must REPENT of your sins. Jesus commands to repent for the forgiveness of our sins and “Unless you repent, you will perish” (Luke 13: 3, 5). It is through the blood of Christ that our sins are forgiven. Through repentance, our dirty wedding garments are cleansed and made white again (“Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow” (Isaiah 1:18)).
Genuine repentance means giving up the practice of sin and turning your life over to God. When you repent, our Heavenly King blots out our sins and remembers them no more (Acts 2:38; 3:19).
You must CONFESS the name of Jesus Christ. You must acknowledge your faith and belief, with all your heart, in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, to be added into His Royal Family (Matt. 10:32; Luke 9:26; Acts 8:37; and Romans 10:9).
You must be BAPTIZED into Jesus Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27) Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). In the New Testament, God has a pattern for us to follow if we want to become Christians, members of His Royal Family. Baptism is part of God’s pattern. We are commanded to “repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). When you are baptized into Christ, you are born again. All who have been baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27). Think of it this way, baptism is what adorns you in the wedding garments that are essential for the Wedding Feast (Heaven). Repentance is what keeps those garments spotless.
You must live a FAITHFUL life of OBEDIENCE to Christ the King. Once you’ve obeyed the Gospel, you have been transformed. You are a new creation! You should no longer live and behave as a mere “commoner,” because you are Royalty. Your “common” life has passed away, and all things have been made new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5: 17). Therefore, you must live a life of obedience to the King (Romans 1:5 and 16:26). You must walk in the light, as He is in the light (1 John 1:7), living a life that brings glory and honor to Christ the King. As members of God’s Royal Family, love God and keep His commandments (1 John 2:3).
If you have not accepted God’s invitation, you are but a mere commoner living in the outer darkness. You will not be invited to the Wedding Feast. You will not get in.
When you accept God’s invitation by following His plan, God adds you to His Royal Family. You become ROYALTY: Heirs to the King, a Royal Priesthood, true royalty; and this isn’t a fairytale!
True Royalty is a Life in Jesus Christ—THE KING OF KINGS—dwelling with Him in Heaven (our Royal Palace) for all Eternity.
–Crysti Haywood
