So Do We

Often Christianity has been reduced to a powerless ritual of going to church, obtaining knowledge from the Bible, and trying to be good enough. This is a far cry from what the Bible declares as true Christianity. Look at what Jesus said regarding the kingdom we are to be living in and praying for. He told us to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Mt 6:10  Jesus also said, “If I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Mt 12:28 

Here Jesus is declaring that when the kingdom of God is in operation, power is also in operation. In Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church, he said, “My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2:4 He also said, “The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk, but of power.” 1Cor 4:20  So, in light of all of this, here’s a good question to consider: Is our Christianity trying to get people to rest on human wisdom or God’s power? When people come into contact with the church, are they experiencing the kingdom of God? So, what is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is the rule and the reign of the Holy Spirit within the hearts and minds of believers. The kingdom of God operates through people. So, when people are born again, they enter the kingdom of God, and the kingdom of God is in them. Jesus told Nicodemus, “I tell you the truth; no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” Jn 3:5 

When someone is born of the water and the Spirit, they enter the kingdom of God. Being born of the water is natural birth, and being born of the Spirit is spiritual birth. What is profound about all of this is that those who enter the kingdom of God have access to the power that the kingdom of God wields – the very power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Wow! Carefully consider these insightful words from Apostle Paul.

Eph 1:1-21 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.

Do you see it?  Those who are born again have the opportunity to represent and display the kingdom and power of God! This means that you and I can operate on this earth just like God operates in heaven! Remember what Jesus told us to pray? – Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. The kingdom of God and its power are not made known by getting more men into the church of God, but rather, by getting more of God into the men of the church!

I believe that the world is saying, “Will the real God, please stand!” The world desperately needs an authentic demonstration of God! Those who choose to fully receive the truth of the gospel are those who will see the power and glory of God begin to flow through them. Yes, resting in the love of God is the action necessary to see the glory of God revealed. Will you take the time today to seek the face of God and enjoy His presence? Remember, God rewards those who diligently seek him. Heb 11:6 There is no better day than today to live in God’s glorious presence, and there is no better time for the power and love of God to be demonstrated! Yes! The world needs it – and…

So Do We