Learning to eat,…speak,…and walk in God’s Kingdom! At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven?” 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. Matthew 18:1-4 While the Lord Jesus was here on this earth, one of His main responsibilities was to teach His people how to live in the Kingdom while existing in this world. He taught them what the Kingdom of Heaven was like. Before that could happen in their lives, they had to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor. In other words, they had to be reborn into His Kingdom through King Jesus. Understand this one thing; unless your spirit is transformed by the Holy Spirit you cannot even see 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.” John 3:3 When you are reborn you are basically a baby in God’s Kingdom! What does a baby have to do? Learn, develop and grow! From the beginning they are learning to eat, speak and walk on their own. One day they will be independent, thriving, adult citizens. But it is a process that doesn’t happen in a day, week or month! The same is true of Kingdom citizens. You must be trained in the way of the King. King Solomon put it this way: Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Just like your physical birth and development, the same process must occur in the Spirit. 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.’” John 3:5-7 Keep in mind, at the time King Jesus made that statement, He was the only one who was filled with the Holy Spirit. John, His earthly first cousin, saw the Holy Spirit land on Him and remained in the form of a dove. And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32-34 It is so important that you be filled with His Spirit, for it is the Holy Spirit that gives you citizenship in His Kingdom. It is the Holy Spirit that governs and teaches us as we listen to His leading and read and study God’s Constitution. The more of His Word we have in us, the easier it is to be led by His Spirit! These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 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 14:25-26 Since I have been in His Kingdom, my life has totally changed. But that did not happen on my own. I have learned to be guided by His Spirit and humbly submit my will to His. I feel great knowing that His presence is with me. With the Holy Spirit—our Kingdom Governor—we will love what God loves and hate what God hates. Yes! There are things that God hates. God’s Word is true and He cannot lie! These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 Keep in mind that all that you are is learned traits, meaning you learned it from someone or something. It is up to you to keep reading and studying His Constitution under the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit—our Governor. Growing and maturing in God’s Kingdom must be intentional and requires action. Actively seeking God’s Kingdom and His righteousness requires action! The Holy Spirit is given to those who are obedient to His Word. Ambassador Peter made that very clear when speaking to the officials. But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.” Acts 5:29-32 We must learn to trust in His Word and have faith in the leading of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said to those following Him: I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, “How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?” 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.” John 6:51-58 He was speaking of His Words. We know that Jesus was the Word made flesh. He said this to separate the casual followers from the true believers. Never think that big crowds are the most important thing! It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. John 6:63-66 It is never about the crowds! Yes, it was His Body that He gave for the life of this world! I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 If we eat His Words—meaning embracing His Words by faith—it is His Spirit that gives us life eternal. 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 Yes, we must learn to EAT His Word…SPEAK His Word…and WALK in His Kingdom by the guidance of our Kingdom Governor, the Holy Spirit! Remember, it is your faith in the King’s Word that is your most valuable asset in God’s Kingdom. All scriptures are NKJV unless noted W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org |
