And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience...  Allow me to clarify "you once walked": In God's Constitution, "walking" represents an image of a Kingdom Citizen's steady and normal progress with God.  Blessed is the man, who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

In Ephesians, ambassador Paul refers to a citizens old lifestyle, whether it was a path of moral carelessness or the dark alley of evil, because Kingdom citizens should no longer live according to their past evil ways.  But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.  

Citizens of the Kingdom are reborn so that they can have a lifestyle characterized by obedience to God's Word and good behavior.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.   They are to conduct themselves worthy of their calling.--I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,--which means to live in love.   And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.--and in light--For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light--and in wisdom.  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise.

Paul points out to his audience that they formerly lived according to the world's system and after the prince of the power of the air, namely Satan.  The sons of obedience are individuals who disobeyed God's Word.

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”  ~~Matthew 16:23

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”~~Luke 22:31-32

But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?~~Acts 5:3

Ephesians 2:2   Psalm 1:1   Ephesians 4:7   Ephesians 2:10  
Ephesians 4:1  Ephesians 5:2   Ephesians 5:8   Ephesians 5:15
~~W.R. Luchie

 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors! Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.  The fig tree is illustrated here as the sign of the coming of the King predicted in Daniel.

“I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!  He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought Him near before Him.  Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,
That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.  His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.  The Son of Man coming on the clouds, "the fig tree" does not necessarily indicate Israel here.  Now in the morning, as He returned to the city, He was hungry. And seeing a fig tree by the road, He came to it and found nothing on it but leaves, and said to it, “Let no fruit grow on you ever again.” Immediately the fig tree withered away.  And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither away so soon?”

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”   We can predict that the summer is near from certain signs.  The branches of the trees become tender and produce leaves.  In the same way, we will know the end is coming when we see the signs Jesus has described in this passage.

Matthew 24:32-35   Daniel 7:13-14   Matthew 21:18-22
~~W.R. Luchie

 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.  Now the phrase "believe in Him who sent Me" is unusual.  Jesus, not the Father, is usually the object of this kind of attention.   The issue in this passage is the relationship of the Father and the Son.  

But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”

Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God. Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.  All those who truly believe in the One who sent Christ will believe in Christ Himself.

Now, the statement "shall not come into judgment".  A judgment to decide an individual's eternal destiny is no longer possible for the one who has already been  given eternal life.  However, all believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.


John 5:24   John 5:17-23   II Corinthians 5:10
~~W.R. Luchie

Now it was so, when Moses came down from Mount Sinai (and the two tablets of the Testimony were in Moses’ hand when he came down from the mountain), that Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. Whenever anyone is constantly in the Word and in His presence, there will always be residue from the King's presence.  For example: If you are around an individual who smokes, in time the residue of the smoke will linger on your skin and clothes.  In God's Constitution, it describes Moses' shining face: "the skin of his face shone", which describes who Moses was keeping company with.  Who you are keeping company with will always show up in your behavior and attitudes.  Moses' proximity to the presence of the Lord God transformed his very appearance.

But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech—unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.


Exodus 34:29   II Corinthians 3:7-18
~~W.R. Luchie

Having a Kingdom concept will surely assist us in viewing God's Word from the right perspective.   

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. For David says concerning Him:

‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

“Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.

“For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’ 
Even Peter reminded the people concerning the Lord Jesus Christ.  

I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.  You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  

Remember, in the fullness of time, King Jesus came on the scene.  In other words, when it was time.  But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.  

In the same way, when the Father God is ready, it will be in the fullness of time--the right time.  Jesus is the complete image of God.  Paul made this very clear concerning Jesus the Christ.  Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Acts 2:22-35   Psalm 16:8-11   Galatians 4:4-5   Colossians 2:8-10
~~W.R. Luchie

Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Abide means to remain; to continue where you are.  Now, a citizen of the Kingdom continues to obey the Lord God's Word regardless of what the world system may say.  A citizen of the Kingdom is always a disciple and is forever learning the Lord Gods truth.  A Kingdom citizen of good standing is always on their best behavior, meaning in line with God's Word.  Always striving to do the Will of the Father.  

The one who abides in the Word of God knows the truth.  When you fill yourself with the Word, you become full of truth and that truth works within you to make you free.  It is a process.

John 8:31-32   John 17:17
~~W.R. Luchie

...but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.  Here John states the purpose of his book.  His purpose was to convince his readers that Jesus, the Christ, was the Messiah who fulfilled the Lord God's promise to Israel.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Jesus is the Son of God--God in the flesh.  Believing in His  name is the key component to rebirth in the Kingdom.   These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

By believing these things an individual obtains eternal life.   But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 20:31   John 3:16-17   I John 5:13   John 1:12-13
~~W.R. Luchie

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ

Kingdom citizens need to know that they are in this world but not of this world; our ultimate citizenship is in heaven.  Eagerly wait.  Here the ambassador presents a direct contrast to the earthly focus of the enemies of the Cross.  

... they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.  The eager desire of citizens of the Kingdom isn't earthly things but a heavenly individual, the Lord Jesus Christ.  

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.



Philippians 3:20  Philippians 3:19   Romans 8:18-25
~~W.R. Luchie

Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Since disobedience to God's Word (Sin) in a continuous manner makes grace more abundant, man came up with this idea:  Why not continue in disobedience (Sin)?  This is the thinking of so many believers in today's society.  Even if they don't say it, their actions show it.  This is certainly a possible conclusion, though a wrong one, from the teaching of grace in chapter 5.  Apparently ambassador Paul had been accused of teaching this false doctrine, called antinomianism (that faith alone, not obedience to the moral law is necessary for salvation)  To silence his accusers, Paul shows in chapter 6 that a believer who continues in his or her disobedience (sin) in God's Word would be denying his or her own identity in the Kingdom of God.  The ambassador of the Kingdom made it very plain.  

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:20-21   Romans 6:23
~~W.R. Luchie

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.  Now, "dogs and swine" refer to those who are enemies of the gospel of the Kingdom, as opposed to those who are merely unbelievers.  Such enemies are to be left alone.  But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

Paul, ambassador for the Kingdom, made this statement:  Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:  

“I will dwell in them and walk among them.  I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”  Therefore, “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord.  Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”  “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

One example of such an individual was Herod Antipas, who heard John gladly. Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. But then beheaded him.  

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.  So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Later, Herod seeks to see Jesus.  Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” So he sought to see Him.

Always be aware, there are many enemies of Jesus in the very religious institutions of today.  Their lifestyles speak for them.  Ambassador Paul made this statement:  Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Matthew 7:6   Matthew 15:13-14   II Corinthians 6:14-18
Mark 6:20   Matthew 14:1-12   Luke 9:7-9   James 4:4
~~W.R. Luchie

Men, always avoid women with little or no principles.  My son, pay attention to my wisdom; lend your ear to my understanding, that you may preserve discretion, and your lips may keep knowledge.
For the lips of an immoral woman drip honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
Her feet go down to death, her steps lay hold of hell.  Lest you ponder her path of life--Her ways are unstable; you do not know them.  Young men and old men alike should use wisdom in dating and choosing a woman for marriage.  So many things have changed in this society in which we live. 

A husband should always be focused on his wife's affections.  Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice with the wife of your youth.   As a loving deer and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times; and always be enraptured with her love.  For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, and be embraced in the arms of a seductress?   

The Living Bible puts it this way:

Drink from your own well, my son—be faithful and true to your wife. Why should you beget children with women of the street? Why share your children with those outside your home? Be happy, yes, rejoice in the wife of your youth. Let her breasts and tender embrace satisfy you. Let her love alone fill you with delight. Why delight yourself with prostitutes, embracing what isn’t yours? For God is closely watching you, and he weighs carefully everything you do.

Sadly, today's world all too often equates lust with love.  Learn to identify what is lust and what is love and its source and you will be strong and in right standing with the Father.

Proverbs 5:1-6   Proverbs 5:18-20  Proverbs 5:15-21 (TLB)
~~W.R. Luchie

Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea.  Now here this verse suggests new freshness, not just a second beginning.  This is the fulfillment of the prophecies in Isaiah. 

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.  

“For as the new heavens and the new earth which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.  

Significantly, this eternal renewal has already begun in the life of the Kingdom citizen because, using the same term, ambassador Paul stated it this way:  

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make shall remain before Me,” says the Lord, “So shall your descendants and your name remain.  The present heaven and earth, including the sea, were burned up in the great white throne judgment.  Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them....The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works.

Revelation 21:1   Isaiah 65:17   Isaiah 66:22  
II Corinthians 5:17   Revelation 20:11, 13
~~W.R. Luchie

 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

We should always be filled with the Spirit.  ...and do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.  Your life should be full of the Word of God.  This comes through reading and meditating--To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind--on the Word of God (constantly).  The Word of God should always be a priority. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

The ambassador Paul put it this way:  Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  Paul was concerned for those who were listening to the arguments.  never debate or argue around others.  That is not who citizens of the Kingdom are.

In today's society there are many who aren't what they claim to be.  We have to be aware of them.  ...having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

I Timothy 6:3-6   Ephesians 5:18   Joshua 1:8   
II Timothy 2:14-15   II Timothy 3:5
~~W.R. Luchie

The Lord God's Kingdom is different from earthly kingdoms in that it has no subjects.  There are no peasants in the Kingdom of God, only sons.

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.


In the Kingdom of God we are not subjects, but members of a royal family.  Everyone in God's Kingdom is a prince or princess.  There are no peasants nor middle class and no order of servants.  In the Lord god's Kingdom, everyone is related to the King.


And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.



Galatians 3:26    Galatians 4:6-7
~~W.R. Luchie