Stand up for Your Citizenship Rights
- Baptist Daily Devotional
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Rev. Tse Amable | January 30 2026 | Acts 22:22-29
KEY VERSE: “As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, 'Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn't even been found guilty?’” (Acts 22:25 NIV)
MESSAGE:
Being a citizen of any nation comes with certain rights and privileges which foreigners cannot enjoy. For example, if you are a citizen of Ghana, you qualify to stand for election as President of the Republic, provided you meet other requirements. When Apostle Paul was being physically abused, he objected to that physical abuse of his rights as a Roman citizen. He knew what he was entitled to as a citizen and stood up against the abuse. There are 2 truths here. First, you must know your rights. In many countries, citizens' rights are found in the constitution and other relevant subsidiary legislation. Secondly, you should not allow anyone to abuse your rights unjustly. You must therefore stand up and demand to be treated in accordance with the law when your rights are being abused. As a Christian, you are a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Bible says, “our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20 NIV). Being citizens of Heaven also comes with citizenship rights, which we find in the Bible. One of the rights was shared by Jesus Christ when he said, “It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom!” (Luke 12:32 AMP). In another place, the Bible says “ALL THINGS ARE YOURS” (1 Corinthians 3:21 NIV), because you belong to Christ and live under His lordship. It is your responsibility through the study of the Bible and prayer to know your rights as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Do you know that privileges and rights go with obligations and responsibilities? Inasmuch as you should know and stand up against the abuse of your citizenship rights, you must also know and not be found wanting in carrying out your obligations and responsibilities, such as obeying your elected rulers and paying your taxes. Know also that as a citizen, you are deemed to be innocent until you are proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction. As a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven, you have direct access to the throne of grace. It is your citizenship right. Therefore, approach God with boldness.
PRAYER:
Father, I thank you for accepting me as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven and for the rights I enjoy. Give me the courage and boldness to stand against any abuse of my citizenship rights as a citizen of my earthly nation, as well as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING
DAILY word study: CITIZEN Paul’s calm but firm question to the centurion was not an act of emotional resistance. It was a deliberate appeal grounded in identity. At that moment, Paul acted from an awareness of who he was and what that status meant.
The idea of citizenship in this passage connects with the Greek concepts politeuomai / politeia, which refer to one’s legal status, rights, and responsibilities within a recognised community or commonwealth.
Paul did not deny his suffering, but he refused unlawful treatment. His response shows that faith does not cancel lawful rights. Instead, wisdom discerns when to endure quietly and when to speak with clarity and courage.
Reflect on this:
Knowing your God-given identity shapes how you respond to pressure. When you understand who you are, you can speak without fear and stand without aggression.
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