Kingdom 101: We Are Government Citizens, Not Religious Members
The question arises, what government am I speaking of? Kingdom government of course. The Lord God's purpose was to establish a commonwealth of citizens, not religious people who attend some kind of religious institution called "church, mosque, synagogue", etc. To understand this is essential to grasping the concept of the message of the Lord Jesus Christ, namely the Kingdom of Heaven. As a kingdom, it is definitely a government, a nation, and Jesus the Christ is its King. In fact, the Lord God never intended for those who believe in Him as Messiah and King to be referred to as "Christians". That name was given to the apostles in Antioch. Then everyone else embraced it. Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. As I say, "If you allow people to name you, they will define you". That is a statement of truth.
Jesus never called His disciples Christian, nor did He imply for others to do so. The name Christian has much negative baggage attached to it. This has come about through their behavior and lifestyles. It refers to a whole host of people, many of which have no connection to the Kingdom of God--those who fail to read, study and absorb His Word into their lifestyle. They are as King Jesus stated: Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus was speaking to the religious Jews at the time, which also applies to us in this age. This word Christian has become a religious term devoid of any significant meaning as it relates to the Kingdom of God.
Please note: Kingdoms are built upon the concept of legalities, which are extended to its citizens, offering them the rights and privileges that are guaranteed by the king.
Individuals who adhere to some king of religious group, including Christians, consider themselves members of the group which they perceive as a religious and spiritual relationship with an organization or fraternity. Here is an example of what I mean: "Christian" refers to an individual who adheres or sympathizes with the Christian faith and is identified as such both inside and outside that faith. It's members provide for the organization. Now, the concept of kingdom is completely opposite to the concept of religion. A kingdom consists of a king with citizens. Citizenship is essentially a legal entity with rights and privileges protected by a constitutional commitment of the king and his government. The king and his government provide for his citizens.
We will continue next time with part 2.
Acts 11:25-26 John 6:53-58
~~W.R. Luchie
Continue to Part 2
Jesus never called His disciples Christian, nor did He imply for others to do so. The name Christian has much negative baggage attached to it. This has come about through their behavior and lifestyles. It refers to a whole host of people, many of which have no connection to the Kingdom of God--those who fail to read, study and absorb His Word into their lifestyle. They are as King Jesus stated: Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus was speaking to the religious Jews at the time, which also applies to us in this age. This word Christian has become a religious term devoid of any significant meaning as it relates to the Kingdom of God.
Please note: Kingdoms are built upon the concept of legalities, which are extended to its citizens, offering them the rights and privileges that are guaranteed by the king.
Individuals who adhere to some king of religious group, including Christians, consider themselves members of the group which they perceive as a religious and spiritual relationship with an organization or fraternity. Here is an example of what I mean: "Christian" refers to an individual who adheres or sympathizes with the Christian faith and is identified as such both inside and outside that faith. It's members provide for the organization. Now, the concept of kingdom is completely opposite to the concept of religion. A kingdom consists of a king with citizens. Citizenship is essentially a legal entity with rights and privileges protected by a constitutional commitment of the king and his government. The king and his government provide for his citizens.
We will continue next time with part 2.
Acts 11:25-26 John 6:53-58
~~W.R. Luchie
Continue to Part 2
