Once I got rid of my disobedience and could be led by His Spirit, I discovered the greatest threat to the future of this world is religion. Even while I was in college, I realized that religion separates the people from each other. By nature, it brings division. While there, I also learned that millions of people have died under the hands of Christianity. I know many don’t want to believe or accept this truth, but it really happened. Study world history. They may have begun with the best intentions, but it wasn’t the Lord God’s plan, it was man’s plan to advance their religion. Did King Jesus ever go to war against anyone who did not receive Him? No. While He was on this earth, He never forced anyone to follow Him. 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. John 3:16-17
If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave. Matthew 10:14 NLT
At no time did He ever refer to His disciples as Christians. At no time did He ever join or be identified with any religious group and there were several back in His day. Remember that the first time we ever heard of the name Christian was in the book of Acts: 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. Acts 11:25-26 It is worth noting that it was the people of Antioch that named them Christians. From there, the name took off.
When you truly understand who you are, then and only then will you understand who you are representing while you are here on earth. By the way, in terms of representation, A Christian represents a religious group, but a Kingdom citizen represents a government—God’s government of Heaven.
Remember, a kingdom is a governing influence of a king over his territory, while impacting it with his personal will, purpose, and his intent, while producing a culture of values, morals, and lifestyle that reflects the king’s desires and nature for his citizens.
Hold on to this Word Jesus spoke: But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 Priorities! The key word in that verse is “Seek”, meaning you must really want it. Seek is a verb, which requires an action. To seek is to go in search of; look for; try to discover; to ask for; to request, to try to acquire or gain. Picture a bloodhound or a hunting dog, with their nose to the ground on the scent. They are focused and undistracted by the things around them. That is the image of seeking!
The Lord Jesus represented His Father’s Kingdom until the end of His Father’s assignment for Him. Until it was finished, He stayed totally focused on His Kingdom assignment from His Father. After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. John 19:28-30
If we are to truly represent Him, we first must understand who we are in Him. By doing that, we will learn to embrace His Word and His principles. The problem is that many of us are too busy representing our religion and denomination. Sad but true. That is why the people of the Lord God are so divided. Do you invite people to your church or tell them about Jesus and His Kingdom?
While I was in religious circles, along with my mother and all those around me, this is what I came to know about religion and its impact on human beings: Religion is what man does until he finds the Kingdom. Religion seeks to take the world to Heaven rather than bringing His Kingdom to the world. Religion wants mankind to escape the world, while the Kingdom impacts, influences and changes the world. Religious people are reaching up to God; the Kingdom is the Lord God coming down to mankind. And finally, the religious focus on going to heaven, the Kingdom focuses on impacting the world with His presence.
The Lord God never intended for the earth to be a waiting room for heaven.
It is our assignment to bring the characteristics, culture, values and laws of our King into the earth. That is who we are and who we are created to represent.
Remember, your faith in the Lord God’s Word is your greatest asset in His Kingdom.
All scriptures are NKJV unless noted
W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
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