A KINGDOM PRINCIPLED LIFE. WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN FOR ME ?
A good friend and brother Joe Arioto and I were having a great discussion regarding the state of our world today, and all the challenges it brings to our Faith and Journey Following Jesus, and he asked me a really simple question that gave me pause for deeper thought. “ So what exactly is a Kingdom Principled Life, and what does it entail in the way of Change or Focus ?” So many people in Christian circles are throwing around the term “Kingdom” that at times it can become Confusing and Challenging. A multitude of questions are tossed around at times in a variety of circumstances. “ Is your business a Kingdom Business ?” “ Are you doing Kingdom Work ?” “ Are you Seeking The Kingdom ?” “ Is what you are doing a Kingdom Purpose ?” It is bantered about a lot, but I do think that it is important that we gain a deeper understanding individually about God’s Kingdom, because as followers of Christ, WE WILL BE CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND ACTUALLY REIGN WITH HIM IN THAT KINGDOM ! I feel like the absolute best way to understand the Kingdom is to delve into what JESUS had to say about it. He talked about it often, and It was a key focus in His Messaging to those He interacted with. If we look in God’s Word, the meaning of “Kingdom” becomes very clear to us.
BEING ASKED BY THE PHARISEE’S WHEN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WOULD COME, HE ANSWERED THEM, “THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT COMING IN WAYS THAT CAN BE OBSERVED, NOR WILL THEY SAY, “LOOK, HERE IT IS ! “, OR “THERE” FOR BEHOLD, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS IN THE MIDST OF YOU. Luke 17:20-21
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT A MATTER OF EATING AND DRINKING BUT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE AND JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. Romans 14:17
JESUS ANSWERED HIM, “ TRULY, TRULY I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” John 3:3
AND THE KINGDOM AND THE DOMINION AND THE GREATNESS OF THE KINGDOM UNDER THE WHOLE HEAVEN SHALL BE GIVEN TO THE PEOPLE OF THE SAINTS OF THE MOST HIGH, HIS KINGDOM SHALL BE THE EVERLASTING KINGDOM, AND ALL DOMINIONS SHALL SERVE AND OBEY HIM. Daniel 7:27
When i look at the Kingdom Of God, I see JESUS AT THE CENTER OF EVERYTHING ! Jesus tells me in His Words “ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). As a follower of Jesus, I have given my life to Him. He abides inside me, and I in Him. I Have Been REBORN; dying to self, and finding a NEW LIFE IN HIM ! I think that one of the best descriptions is simply that WHEN YOU ARE UNDER HIS LORDSHIP, AND WHEN HE IS IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE, THAT IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD ! It is ALL ABOUT JESUS. It is ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIP ! If my life is centered on Christ, and He lives within me, I WILL BE LIKE HIM ! Being like Him is what I Strive For. It does not revolve around trying to follow a bunch of rules, or modify my behavior in a goal of somehow or some way perfecting myself through my personal efforts, because On My Own, I will fail. I Am A Sinner in my own flesh, but through the Power and Authority of Jesus, I am filled with The Holy Spirit Of God, and He alone guides me toward Righteousness and Relationship with God The Father. This relationship takes EFFORT AND CHANGE. A Kingdom Principled Life will not allow you to live as a self reigning sinner. It will not allow you to sit in the status quo. The Kingdom within you pulls you toward GOD, cleansing your heart to desire a Life filled with God and His Ways. His Character permeates Who You Are, and His Commandments and Ways give you a guide for living your life. YOUR IDENTITY IS IN HE WHO ABIDES WITHIN YOU:) The true purpose of my blog is to introduce you to Jesus and move you toward a Desire to be His. I am not a perfect man. I have a road of sin trailing behind me….but, through the Love, Mercy, and Grace of Jesus, I have been cleansed by His shed blood. He died on the cross in my place. My Redemption and Future Life rest ETERNALLY IN HIS LOVE FOR ME !
THE TIME IS FULFILLED, AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS COME NEAR. REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS. Mark 1:15
FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK, FOR IT IS YOUR FATHER’S GOOD PLEASURE TO GIVE YOU THE KINGDOM. SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS, AND GIVE TO THE NEEDY. PROVIDE YOURSELVES WITH MONEYBAGS THAT DO NOT GROW OLD, WITH A TREASURE IN THE HEAVENS THAT DOES NOT FAIL, WHERE NO THIEF APPROACHES AND NO MOTH DESTROYS. FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE WILL BE YOUR HEART ALSO. Luke 12:32-34
PROCLAIMING THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND TEACHING ABOUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WITH ALL BOLDNESS AND WITHOUT HINDERANCE. Acts 28:31
FOR YOU KNOW HOW, LIKE A FATHER WITH HIS CHILDREN, WE EXHORTED EACH ONE OF YOU AND CHARGED YOU TO WALK IN A MANNER WORTHY OF GOD, WHO CALLS YOU INTO HIS OWN KINGDOM AND GLORY. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
So, are you ready ? Are you hearing His call to you to Give Your Life to Him. Obey His Will ? Confess your Sins, and die to self ? Repent and live the life He has put into your very being ? Can you embrace a Kingdom Principled Life ? The world around us beckons with all it’s False Treasures and Shallow Promises. We spend so much of our time WASTED in things that have no bearing on our futures, and they ALL END when we die. Only a future with the promise of God’s Kingdom and Eternal Life is worth the effort. So much time is spent chasing temporary ownership of material things and seeking fleshly pleasure. WE ARE TO BE REBORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT. We are to “SEEK THE KINGDOM OF GOD AND IT”S RIGHTEOUSNESS (Matthew 6:33). Once you have Jesus and His Kingdom,….YOU HAVE IT ALL ! Everything you need is yours, and you can GO AND SHARE HIM WITH EVERYONE IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE. I can’t wait to be in the Presence of Jesus, standing by brothers and sisters that come from all the nations of the earth. As men and women, worlds apart, and yet ONE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST ! Different languages, customs, cultures, skin colors….and yet ALL UNITED IN THE GLORY OF GOD:) Open your life and your heart to Jesus. Seek others who share your faith and build community and fellowship. Live, Love, and Laugh as His Kingdom sets you FREE in belonging to Him. May you all be blessed, and may Jesus truly open your eyes and ears to Hear His Message. HE WANTS YOU. HE LOVES YOU. Begin a New Life Right Now….TRULY,TRULY ! KINGDOM PATH/JAA
THEN THE SEVENTH ANGEL BLEW HIS TRUMPET, AND THERE WERE LOUD VOICES IN HEAVEN, SAYING, “THE KINGDOM OF THE WORLD HAS BECOME THE KINGDOM OF OUR LORD AND OF HIS CHRIST, AND HE SHALL REIGN FOREVER AND EVER.” Revelation 11:15
May It Be So ! Amen