 Photo by Karl Fredrickson on UnsplashIt is 4:26 AM on a Sunday morning, as I begin this article. It is one of my quiet times with our Governor, the Holy Spirit. My mind is clear and focused on His Word. We all need times to be still and focused to hear from the Holy Spirit. We must make room for Him in our busy schedules. Make it a top priority. This is why, for me, it is always early in the morning, the “first” of my day! Today, my mind went to King Jesus. I truly believe that no one who has ever lived on this earth has ever been more misunderstood than the Lord Jesus. People misunderstood His purpose and His mission, even though He was very clear to them of His purpose. Read what He told the men and women in Galilee: 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 Misunderstanding the Lord Jesus and His purpose has caused the Muslim to disrespect Him as the Son of God, the Hindus to suspect Him, the Buddhists to ignore Him, the atheist to hate Him and the agnostic to deny Him. But it just may be those who claim to represent Him the most—that go under the title of Christian—who have in fact misunderstood and misrepresented Him and His purpose the most. It is understandable because of what they have been taught by churches and denominations. They have the best intentions, but are discipled with religious information, created by denominations. Without a Kingdom mindset it is impossible accurately represent Him. Everything that the Lord Jesus said and did—His prayers, His teachings, the healings He performed and what many called miracles—was focused on His Kingdom, never a religion. The Lord Jesus was totally focused on His Kingdom only. It was His top priority. It was His heavenly Father’s mandate. And it should also be ours! Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Mark 10:13-15 Religion is a veil that cloaks God’s Kingdom government. Remember that it was religion that called for Him to be silenced. It was religion that demanded His earthly death. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him.” The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.” John 19:4-7 Those to whom He came first--the Jews—misunderstood the Lord Jesus and perceived Him as a rebel, a misfit and a fanatic. They considered him a heretic. The original intent of the Lord God’s command to Moses was not to establish a religion, but a nation of people who would love Him, serve Him and honor Him. They were disobedient to His Word, or commands, so He sent His Son to give us an opportunity to become citizens of His Kingdom. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 Allow me to be more specific concerning the other religious groups who misunderstand the King and His Kingdom: The Muslim misunderstand our King as simply another in a line of prophets who was a great teacher and a good man. The Hindu misunderstands Him as a good teacher, a good man, and just another deity to add to their many gods. The atheist, agnostic and humanist see Him as a mere man, an historical figure, whom a group of misguided men made their god, an object of worship. They acknowledge Jesus existed but deny any of His miracles as well as His claim to divinity. Of course none of these groups recognize King Jesus as the Son of God, our Lord and Savior, and King of His Kingdom. This final group I could speak on in length. The difference here, from these other religions, is that while they misunderstand who Jesus is and His purpose, the Christian religion misunderstands and misrepresents our Lord, King Jesus. For centuries they have misrepresented Him as a founder of a religion and have transformed His teachings and life on this earth in a religious mindset, full of denominational laws, customs, rituals, and traditions. Many have even reduced His message to nothing more than an escape plan for getting to heaven, with His promises as a ‘fire’ insurance policy! What is the harm in all this, you may ask. The harm is that it hides the true purpose and plan of God’s Kingdom and King Jesus who was sent to reintroduce the good news of His Kingdom to His people. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7a “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:29-32 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14-15 Believe it or not, the Lord Jesus had only one message and one mission—the return of the Kingdom of Heaven to this earth. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 Even His earthly cousin John had the same message. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:1-2 Cleanse your mind of religious strongholds, be filled with the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—and you will see God’s Kingdom government as He intended. You will have a Kingdom mindset. When you see His Kingdom as a government, you will have a greater understanding of your life and purpose in His Kingdom! Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:3-8 Remember, your faith in His Word is your greatest asset in His Kingdom. All scriptures are NKJV unless noted W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org |
