Each and every country or Kingdom has its own legalities, regulations, and criterion which determine the citizenship of her country. There are several means by which a person can become a citizen of a particular country. The major types are natural, registration, and naturalization. Laws concerning citizenship in most countries are similar with some minute differences.
The Merriam Webster defines a citizen as “a native or naturalized person of either sex who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to reciprocal protection from it and to the enjoyment of the rights of citizenship”
Natural Citizenship
A natural citizen means that a person is legally and automatically eligible for citizenship in a particular country due to his birth in that country or because his parents are citizens of that country. There are several types of natural-born citizens.Being born in a country: In most cases, if a child is born inside a country or its territories, that child is a citizen automatically. It doesn’t matter if the parents are citizens or not. In some countries like the United States, Children born, who then leave the country for many years do not lose their citizenship.
A person could also become a citizen of a country if one or both parents are citizens of that particular country. Moreover, a foreign-born child who is adopted by parents of another country automatically and legally becomes a citizen of that country after being legally adopted.
Citizenship by naturalization
Naturalization is also a passageway to citizenship. To become a naturalized citizen, a person must follow a series of steps, in accordance with the laws of that country he would like to naturalize in. This option deals with an individual request to become a citizen of a country: applicants are not necessarily married or linked personally to the populace of that particular country.Again, for this option, applicants have to prove that they have been supporting or can support local economic activities and bring substantial assistance to any national sector. In addition, they must have integrated themselves into the way of life of that country. In some countries, the applicant must have lived in that country for a number of years in order to be eligible.
Dual Citizenship
It is also possible for a person to obtain a dual-citizenship status. This means you are both a citizen of your home country and another. Dual citizenship occurs when a person is legally a citizen of two countries at the same time.For example, a child may be born to Ghanaian parents living in the United States. The child automatically is a U.S. citizen due to the fact that he has been born in the United States, but the child can also be a Ghanaian citizen since both parents are Ghanaian citizens. In most countries, governmental position holders are not entitled to have dual-citizenship.
Citizenship by registration
One can register for any country’s nationality. This process is on the condition and sometimes needs the approval of the President.An applicant has to prove he is of good character, is currently a resident of the country he would like to apply citizenship for, or has been living there for at least 5 years or any number of years stated in the constitution of that country (shorter stays may be accepted by the government in special situations). They also must prove that they can speak and understand the local tongue so that communication and integration are probable.
Citizenship by means of registration in most cases mainly concerns people who have married in that country and settled a family there if any.
Now that we have seen how citizenship is obtained in the secular world, we will now shift our attention to the main issue here; how to become a citizen of the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God like other Kingdoms and nations has citizens without which, no Kingdom or country exist. The Kingdom of God is a spiritual country that has its own laws that determines who becomes a citizen.
Citizenship in the Kingdom of God
All children by natural means are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Each and everyone in the world has had the status of natural citizens in the Kingdom of God. We are born into the Kingdom of God, so automatically; we are citizens of the Kingdom of God by natural means. When we were born, we were perfect; we were without sin. We lost our citizenship when we went against the constitution in the Kingdom of God. So, per the Kingdom constitution, we do not inherit the sins of our forefathers, Children do not inherit the sins of their parents.The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father; neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. (Ezek. 18:20)
Even though we are partakers in the consequences of what Adam and Eve did, their sins are on their heads, we do not inherit it. How can the fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge?
When we have grown, that is when we are able to distinguish between good and evil, we have individually and personally sinned against God. This has made us lost our citizenship in the Kingdom of God and lands us in Satan’s Kingdom. We are without Christ, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.
The good news is that it is possible for you and me to be part of God’s Kingdom again. You can become a citizen of the Kingdom of God by naturalization or by adoption; whichever way one chooses, it is through the new birth, being born again. The action of one includes all; it is the same procedure whether by adoption or by naturalization.
By the new birth, we become adopted sons of God and also we have naturalized in the Kingdom of God. In this case, one must be very careful in doing this because as said earlier, every nation and Kingdom has its own laws and regulations a person who wishes to become a citizen must follow. The Kingdom of God is no exception; it has its laws, regulations, and patterns a person must follow in order to become a Kingdom citizen.
The gospel call
Even though the Kingdom of God is very rich with its accompanying privileges, blessings, and protection, no expenses are incurred in gaining its citizenship. The Kingdom of God has its own message which is the foundation of the Kingdom; the gospel. It is declared to all people on the surface of the earth. The terms and conditions are laid bare to everyone, each and every one of us is left with the choice to accept the offer or not.This gospel is so unique that there cannot be another one because it is based on the death, the burial and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Any message which is no dependence on the merit of Jesus Christ is not the gospel at all but only leads to another Kingdom other than the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom constitution warns us about such messages and the proclaimers of it.
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there is some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preaches any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:6 -9)
The gospel produces faith to the hearers of the message who wholeheartedly received it; for faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. In the Kingdom's constitution, it is known as belief; it puts trust, reliance, dependence, confidence, and hope in the King, Jesus Christ.
The gospel message which produces faith will let one knows that the Kingdom of darkness and its deeds are not good; it offers fake privileges, benefits, blessings, and protection to its citizens, her King, Satan, is the father of all liars.
Anyone who wants to naturalize in another country must renounce his allegiance to his former country and pledge allegiance to his new country and her ruler. In the Kingdom's constitution, it is called repentance and confession. Repentance is a change of the mindset to forsake the former things of the Kingdom of darkness and prepare to embrace a new life in the Kingdom of light. He should also open up that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God and therefore would like Him to be Lord of his life. Next, the prospective citizen of the Kingdom of God must be regenerated in order to naturalize or be adopted.
The new birth
In the discourse between Jesus Christ and Nicodemus, Jesus told him that unless a man is born again, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. For more understanding of the new birth, please visit here.Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit. (John 3:3-6)
What Nicodemus told Jesus Christ at the beginning of the discourse, was not a question that he asked, but a compliment; Jesus answered him knowing what was in his heart before he came to him. Nicodemus, convinced by the numerous miracles that Jesus performed, coupled with His doctrine about the Kingdom of God, wanted to know more about His doctrine, though his friends rejected it.
Jesus answered by saying “verily verily”, an expression of strong affirmation, a vehement answer, denoting the certainty and the importance of what he was about to say. Since Nicodemus did not understand the answer Jesus gave him initially, He repeated it again that except a man is born of water and of the spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. This answer is universal, it was not directed to Nicodemus alone but to anyone who wishes to naturalize in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom constitution says that to be born of water and of the spirit means to be immersed in water in His name; a re-enactment of His death, burial, and resurrection.
Through baptism, a prospective Kingdom citizen is regenerated and introduced into the body of Christ which is the church, the Kingdom of God and has, therefore, become Kingdom citizen fully.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. (Col 1:13)
So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God. (Eph 2:19)
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pe 2:9)
For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Php. 3:20)
(Other important references: Gal. 3:27, Eph. 4:5, 1:22-23, 5:23-24)
Read also:
The new birth marks the beginning of a new life as a Kingdom citizen.
Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things have become new. (2Co 5:17)
A Kingdom citizen’s name is also written in heaven.
To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. (Heb 12:23)
For a Kingdom citizen to maintain his citizenship, he must remain faithful to the King and his principles.
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his Kingdom and glory. (1Th. 2:12)
A Kingdom citizen cannot fool the King of the Kingdom by living a hypocritical life. The King is omniscient, He knows all the heart of His citizens; He knows who are his.
Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; the Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2Ti 2:19)
It must be noted that there are two Kingdoms that exist in the spiritual realm, that of God and Satan, the Kingdom of light and that of darkness. So, absolutely, no one can have dual citizenship in these two Kingdoms; to be simultaneously in the Kingdom of God and of Satan is impossible. It is true that when we become the citizens of the Kingdom of God, we do not lose our citizenship in the earthly country we are born in or naturalized in. This makes us have dual citizenship; but spiritually speaking, it is not applicable since we are just strangers in this world, and we are just passing through.
Are you a Kingdom citizen of the light? Why don’t you become one today, it costs absolutely nothing!
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