THOSE WHO KNOW THEIR GOD Part 50

“Those who know their God will be strong and do great things.” Dan 11:32

WHAT DO PEOPLE DO TO KNOW GOD?

Rom 14:17-18 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.

As we have discussed, the kingdom of God is earmarked by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Joy is the third earmark of the kingdom of God. The Greek word for joy in the Scripture above is chara. Chara speaks of the high life – the life you love living! Joy is the experience of gladness. In the Bible, joy is often referenced to the experience of the Holy Spirit.

As I stated in a previous Encouraging Note, the Bible puts righteousness, peace, and joy in that specific order for a particular reason. Knowing that you are righteous by the blood of Jesus is what produces peace, and the combination of righteousness and peace produces an overwhelming sense of joy! The kingdom of God, which is the rule and reign of the Holy Spirit within us, produces the salvation of our souls (our minds, wills, and emotions). Look at how Apostle Peter describes the process of soul salvation.

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The kingdom of God is all about the salvation of your soul. God desperately longs for you to know what he has known about you all along! Through Jesus, God has declared you righteous, and therefore unity with him can be your way of life! Wow! The more you experience the revelation of who you are to God through Jesus Christ, the more heavenly joy will fulfill your heart! This is why Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life and have it to its fullest!” John 10:10b Jesus also said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6a

You see, joy is the result of kingdom thinking. What is kingdom thinking? Kingdom thinking is knowing that you are righteous in God’s sight through the blood of Jesus, and it is receiving these of God (unity with God and soundness of health and mind). The more you come into the revelation of these truths, the more apostle Paul’s words to the Thessalonians seem realistic as a lifestyle. He said, “Rejoice in the Lord always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” First Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, as I pray for you, I am asking God to grant you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation! I am trusting that these truths will sink into your heart and become your reality! I am praying that you will be determined to let God’s thoughts dominate your mind until his thoughts become you! If you want to live the life of God – if you truly want to know him, then you will continue meditating upon and surrendering to the reality of these truths. You can be sure that as you do, you will step into the life of joy because…

JOY IS THE RESULT OF KINGDOM THINKING