People have an inclination towards, and a fascination with, royalty - such as the Royal family in England. But I want to suggest that you dear readers are potential kings and queens! You have simply failed to put on your crowns.
I don't mean that anyone reading this should exalt themselves and lord it over others as stern rulers. Rather, I mean that you should be a good king and queen and serve others.
Good rulers are good servants. They want the best for other people. We already know that the vast majority of our leaders are corrupt to the core and look out primarily for themselves.
These politicians always pop their heads up when election time draws closer. They scatter a few coins here and there to us peasants to earn our favor and our vote. I pay no attention to these high-class criminals, these pretentious kings and queens who live in lofty towers, and who look down upon their people (us) with scorn and laughter.
Am I jealous? Heaven forbid. It's just that it isn't difficult for a discerning mind to see through their façade and deceitful actions for who they really are - corrupt kings and queens lording it over the masses. But I digress.
Crowns
There is a history of crowns that could fit in multiple dissertations till the end of time. Crowns have been a symbol of authority, power, and sovereignty since the days of hunter-gathers. Someone had to be in charge and lead the people. These crowns are typically made from some of the most illustrious and rare materials on Earth.
The Egyptian pharaohs also wore crowns to signify their glory and power. Additionally, these crowns were used for various religious purposes as well as to show the people their ultimate authority.
Roman Emperors wore crowns of splendor and believed they were gods. They even demanded worship of the people.
It seems everywhere we turn in history, crowns are special and are worn by the most favorable of people. But I want to say to you readers that you too are worthy of a crown! You are favorable in God's eyes.
God's crowns
Christians are awaiting their crowns (yes, that's plural) to be bestowed upon them by God Almighty at the Judgment. These crowns are our rewards for the good works we have done while in our mortal flesh. We are not judged for our sins - those perished on the cross 2,000 years ago.
Who we are
God, speaking through the Apostles, informs us that we are priests. Look what John the brother of Jesus writes:
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen" (Revelation 1:5b-6, NIV).
Application - How we can act like kings and queens
This is a difficult but necessary process if one is to aspire to a crown. First of all, we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ by faith alone and receive the crown of glory.
Second, we do His will, that is, we obey His commands - love God and love one another - the sum of the new covenant. In this we ensure till the end of our lives.
Third, we take decisive action like King Josiah did. When he ruled he was rebuilding the temple. The restorers found the law (either the book of Deuteronomy or the first 5 books of the Bible) buried in the foundations, much like we would bury a time capsule today.
Josiah took this seriously. Really seriously. After it was read in his presence, he ordered it read to the people. A good king brings people back to obedience to God. Then he took decisive action.
He destroyed all the idols in the Temple in Jerusalem and burned them in the Kidron Valley, and then in areas around the country (Bethel, etc.). He got rid of the homosexual male prostitutes; he eliminated the false pagan priests of false gods; he tore down all the altars, rooms and dining halls inside the Temple.
Can you imagine male prostitutes working inside God's Temple? Outrageous! But Josiah cleaned house. He also stopped the child sacrifices.
We who believe are the Temple of the Holy Spirit - God within us. We too need to be serious and take action. We need to rid ourselves of idols, sacrifices (abortions), false teachers and pagan priests, and anything contrary to God. We make Jesus the focus and emphasis of our life. My prayer for you readers is that you will begin to act like the kings and queens - the priests that God has called you to be.
It is sin that takes away the crown at times, just that we avoid sin we will enjoy our kingship over the world.