In Christ, You are a King and a Priest

Every believer in the Body of Christ has been made a king and priest by the King of Kings and our once and for all High Priest:

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" (1 Peter 2: 9)

We are kings in Christ's kingdom, members of His heavenly realm. Jesus instructs everyone of His followers to establish their membership in His Kingdom above all else:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

For those in Christ, this Kingdom has been given to us:

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." (Luke 12: 32)

What is the evidence of the Kingdom of Heaven in our lives. Paul explains:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

The Holy Ghost brings the Kingdom of Heaven into our lives!

The first element is righteousness, which we receive as a gift:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

Jesus' death took away our sins (1 John 4: 10), which permits Him to live in us, our hope of glory (Colossians 1: 27)

As Christ is King and Priest, so are we in this world (1 John 4: 17).

Now, the Holy Spirit reveals to us not only that we are righteous (John 19: 6-10), in fact, we have the same righteousness as Jesus Christ Himself:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

Because of this gift of righteousness, we reign in life as kings, and Jesus is our King, the King of Kings!