“The commander answered, ‘With a large sum I obtained this citizenship.’ And Paul said, ‘But I was born a citizen.’”
Acts 22:28

Purchased Citizenship

Let’s say a woman was born with straight, fine hair, but desires curly, voluminous hair. She may pay a lot of money at a salon to get the hair she so admires. Inevitably, she will meet someone who was born with the curly hair, who didn’t do anything to acquire it. She may consider the curly-haired woman to be fortunate to not have to pay for this beauty.

In our text today, a Roman commander admits to having paid a large sum in order to become a Roman citizen. Paul, on the other hand, had Roman citizenship from birth.

How absurd it would be for a Roman citizen to say, “I don’t need Rome to protect me, provide for me, or give me a standing in the community. I won’t call on Rome for anything—even though it is powerful, rich, great, and influential. I can do life on my own.”

The commander wisely said, “I’ll do whatever it takes, I’ll pay any amount of money to be a citizen of Rome.” 

Now, what if that commander found out someone else already paid for his citizenship? He would rejoice exceedingly, gladly enjoying all the benefits, taking advantage of the protection and provision of a strong government, and telling his friends that they, too, can be citizens of Rome because someone had already paid the price. All they had to do was ask, and it would be granted.

Adam and Eve were born into God’s kingdom but forfeited their citizenship by sinning. Since then, none of us could be citizens (although the Jews thought they could buy their way in by their works and sacrifices), until Christ paid the price. Now we believers are citizens of a heavenly kingdom. That is, we live with the one true God as our King, Who reigns in our lives.

How absurd it would be for a citizen of the heavenly kingdom to say, “I don’t need God to protect me, provide for me, or use me in the kingdom. I won’t call on God for anything—even though He is all-powerful, wants to give me riches and treasures, does great and mighty works on my behalf, and is ruler over all nations and men. I can do life on my own.”

Let’s give thanks that He has purchased us with the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, and has made us citizens of His kingdom. “But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:16).

“Thank You for our heavenly citizenship, Lord. We call upon You for all the benefits You so desire to bestow upon us. We don’t want to do life without You. Amen.”