 Image by Andrea Pók from PixabayPeople often talk about the “keys to the Kingdom”. But there is actually only this one key, with all others they mention falling under this one: Obedience to His Word. That is the key to receiving all of the Lord God’s promises. That is our focus. Reading and studying His Word is your source for entering His Kingdom. It equips you to receive from the Holy Spirit. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:26 It is not even about attending church. There’s an old saying that says “Sitting in a garage doesn’t make you a car!” True! Read what King Jesus stated to His disciples. And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak. And I know that His command is everlasting life. Therefore, whatever I speak, just as the Father has told Me, so I speak.” John 12:47-50 The Word of the Lord God is what Kingdom citizens live and operate by. It is our strength and nourishment! Many people who carry the name Christian fail to embrace His Word, though it is life! They claim to love Him but refuse to make His Word their lifestyle. As King Jesus said: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” John 14:15 Ambassador John repeated the same thing. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 1 John 5:3 So if that be the case, why are there so many religious leaders not teaching His Word? That is because many are caught up in their own religious ambitions. It is self serving to only serve up what they believe people want to hear and leave out the real ‘meat’ of His Word. There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s Word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT Too many leaders aren’t being led by the Governor—Holy Spirit. If we fail to read and study on a daily basis, do we really believe that His Word gives us life? As Jesus said: It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are Spirit, and they are life. John 6:63 If that be truth, why do so many Christians focus on their bodies as a priority? Do you trust the Lord God for your health? If you trust in His Word that is a sure sign that you love Him. You cannot separate Him from His Word because He IS the Word! And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 He has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit. That is all we need to live an abundant life in God’s Kingdom. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17 If you fail to have a Kingdom mindset, it is impossible for you to have a clear understanding of the Kingdom message. You cannot see His Kingdom clearly through religious eyes. The Lord God’s Constitution is not a religious book. It is a guide to understanding His Kingdom. It is His Testament to His Kingdom citizens. This is why King Jesus stated: But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33 If you want to know what you are seeking, think about what you are praying about. On the whole, we have gotten it wrong. We seek the things we want…money, possessions, jobs, relationships, etc. Our only focus should be to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. It truly is just that simple, and yet so hard! He must be first. The Lord God has proven this in our lives time and time again. This is the true reason why He physically came to this earth. Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them, “I must preach the Kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” Luke 4:42-43 Now concerning His Word and religious material; the power of religion lies in its ability to serve as a substitute for the Kingdom and for the Holy Spirit. It hinders mankind from pursuing the genuine answer to this world’s problems. Also religion tries to do the work of the Holy Spirit. But only is able to try to control people from the outside. The work of the Holy Spirit is an internal, spiritual work. We must be changed from the inside. Then the inside will take care of the outside! But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-25 You are not to be led and molded by man’s denominational laws. The Lord God’s way is being led and taught by the Holy Spirit. So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. Galatians 5:16-18 NLT Religion preoccupies those who are religious and hides the Kingdom of God. But here is the key. You must be seeking it to find it. Only those who are seeking will find it. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 Do that and you will find your needs being met, even before you ask. "Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to Him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?" “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, He will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?" “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and He will give you everything you need." “So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." Luke 12:21-32 NLT Remember, your greatest asset in the Kingdom is your faith in His Word. All scriptures are NKJV unless noted W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org |
