Kingdom 104: The Benefits of Understanding the Simplicity of the Kingdom
There are many individuals who are missing the benefits of the Kingdom life. This is because they fail to understand this one simple thing: It's all about obedience. The Lord God's command to the Children of Israel was obedience to His Word: Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the judgments which I teach you to observe, that you may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers is giving you. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
You must understand that the pursuit of righteousness is the secret to maturity, understanding and discernment in every aspect of Kingdom living. The lack of righteousness in our lives leads to misunderstanding and misalignment with the Lord God and stunts our growth so that we never progress beyond the stage of spiritual toddlers. It is the spiritual equivalent of moving from a milk diet to a solid food diet. As I read and study the book of Hebrews, he explains it clearly. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
We must learn to see religion for what it really is, a hindrance to the Kingdom message, Kingdom living and its blessings. Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Why should you receive the Kingdom message as a little child? Because you have to be teachable and leadable. You must be willing to put all your religious preconceived notions out of your mind and receive the Kingdom message without mixing it with your religious teachings and concepts. That was one of the main reasons the Lord God didn't want them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That knowledge hinders embracing the Kingdom. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” By the way, it didn't take discernment to not eat of the tree. It took obedience to the Lord God's command. When a king speaks, you don't debate or ask why, you just obey.
People who aren't experiencing the benefits of the Kingdom life are those who fail to obey and teach the Kingdom message. They are those who are very much afraid of getting sick and dying. Kingdom citizens who are in good standing with the King never concern themselves with dying. They have a peaceful confidence that as long as they are walking in their Kingdom purpose, it is not their time to die. They are only concerned with obeying the King and fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. The ambassador Paul made this statement: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. One day I will be able to make that statement, but until then I will flourish in my gifts and purpose.
If you never seriously commit yourself to pursue a life of righteousness and the Kingdom message, you will never mature to the level where He wants to use you. You will remain a spoon-fed spiritual baby while you are here on earth, and your purpose will go unfulfilled. Only those who are committed to righteousness will reach maturity. They alone will know the richness and joy of the Kingdom life and live it to the fullest.
Far too many who call themselves believers in Christ skate through life living in unrepentant sin all week. They show up at church on Sunday and think they are in right standing with God. They deceive themselves into believing they are "getting by" and that God's grace and mercy cover them week after month after year. They are only fooling themselves. Instead of "getting by" they could be living in the abundant blessings of Kingdom living. They could be accomplishing all that God has purposed for their lives. Instead they are straddling the fence, focusing on what the world offers, and not seeing what they are missing. Do not be that believer. Be a Kingdom citizen in good standing. It is well worth it!
Remember, your foundation is your faith in the King.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Hebrews 5:12-14 Matthew 18:2-5 Genesis 2:16-17 II Timothy 4:6-8
~~W.R. Luchie
You must understand that the pursuit of righteousness is the secret to maturity, understanding and discernment in every aspect of Kingdom living. The lack of righteousness in our lives leads to misunderstanding and misalignment with the Lord God and stunts our growth so that we never progress beyond the stage of spiritual toddlers. It is the spiritual equivalent of moving from a milk diet to a solid food diet. As I read and study the book of Hebrews, he explains it clearly. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
We must learn to see religion for what it really is, a hindrance to the Kingdom message, Kingdom living and its blessings. Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me." Why should you receive the Kingdom message as a little child? Because you have to be teachable and leadable. You must be willing to put all your religious preconceived notions out of your mind and receive the Kingdom message without mixing it with your religious teachings and concepts. That was one of the main reasons the Lord God didn't want them to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. That knowledge hinders embracing the Kingdom. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” By the way, it didn't take discernment to not eat of the tree. It took obedience to the Lord God's command. When a king speaks, you don't debate or ask why, you just obey.
People who aren't experiencing the benefits of the Kingdom life are those who fail to obey and teach the Kingdom message. They are those who are very much afraid of getting sick and dying. Kingdom citizens who are in good standing with the King never concern themselves with dying. They have a peaceful confidence that as long as they are walking in their Kingdom purpose, it is not their time to die. They are only concerned with obeying the King and fulfilling God's purpose for their lives. The ambassador Paul made this statement: For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. One day I will be able to make that statement, but until then I will flourish in my gifts and purpose.
If you never seriously commit yourself to pursue a life of righteousness and the Kingdom message, you will never mature to the level where He wants to use you. You will remain a spoon-fed spiritual baby while you are here on earth, and your purpose will go unfulfilled. Only those who are committed to righteousness will reach maturity. They alone will know the richness and joy of the Kingdom life and live it to the fullest.
Far too many who call themselves believers in Christ skate through life living in unrepentant sin all week. They show up at church on Sunday and think they are in right standing with God. They deceive themselves into believing they are "getting by" and that God's grace and mercy cover them week after month after year. They are only fooling themselves. Instead of "getting by" they could be living in the abundant blessings of Kingdom living. They could be accomplishing all that God has purposed for their lives. Instead they are straddling the fence, focusing on what the world offers, and not seeing what they are missing. Do not be that believer. Be a Kingdom citizen in good standing. It is well worth it!
Remember, your foundation is your faith in the King.
Deuteronomy 4:1-2 Hebrews 5:12-14 Matthew 18:2-5 Genesis 2:16-17 II Timothy 4:6-8
~~W.R. Luchie
