Rare and Privileged

Published on Nov 11, 2024
Category: Devotion | Behold!

Acts 22:28 – Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.” “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

To be a Roman citizen was an honour and a privilege and was not to be taken lightly. It was a sort-after distinction and often came at a price.

The word citizen reflected not a transition from bondage to freedom but from the position of an alien to that of a citizen. The commander himself, apparently, an alien by birth, had acquired the citizenship by paying a heavy price, probably a bribe, as was the practice in those days,

When Paul said he was a Roman citizen, the commander was indeed surprised and keen to know how he had obtained this valuable status. Paul confirms that not just he was a citizen but he was born a citizen. This could imply that Paul’s father or grandfather may have received the citizenship.

When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we are born into the family of God, because of the priceless shed blood of Jesus. We are moved from being slaves to sin to being free children of our Heavenly Father and become citizens of the heavenly Kingdom. Let us value that freedom to which all the children of God are born, which no sum of money, however large can purchase.

Paul was a rare and unique individual. He was not just an intelligent, devout Jew, but also a Roman citizen. God used this unique background to use Paul in a special way. So also, God can and wants to use your unique background in special ways for His Kingdom purposes. Are you willing?

Lord thank You that I have been born into Your family. Use me, Lord, unique as I am, for Your perfect will, Amen.

Author

Preethi Alice Jacob

Preethi Jacob is the author of the yearlong devotional At the Potter’s Wheel, Day by Day. Her journey includes teaching a Bible Study Fellowship class, teaching and leading the Sunday School ministry in her church, leading Bible studies, besides counselling young women. She serves on the Global Mission Team of the United Bible Societies and lives in Bangalore, India with her husband and two young adult children.

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3 Comments
  1. temp mail

    “Remarkable piece of content! ? Your expert analysis and clear communication make complex concepts easy to grasp. This is definitely going in my bookmarks.”

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