 Image by Jupi Lu from PixabayAs you live and operate as a citizen of the Lord God’s Kingdom, you will discover that it seems you are going through more challenges than before you had a Kingdom mindset. Well, truth be told, you probably are! Ambassador Peter wrote to those who had received Jesus Christ as their Lord and King, to be aware of the challenges that will come their way. They found that a life of obedience to the King is often a life of many difficulties. Some of their challenges came from their friends and close family members, while some came from governmental authorities and even their religious acquaintances and leaders. Ambassador Peter wrote these words of advice: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 1 Peter 5:8-10 Keep this in mind; he said that the devil was LIKE a roaring lion. The reason he roars like a lion is to strike fear in your heart. The enemy wants to keep you from a Kingdom mindset. It is a distraction. Fear chases away faith. But more importantly, faith chases away fear! Your protection is in the Lord God’s Kingdom, and all the resources you will ever need. But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 NLT One of the greatest challenge is from your old culture. Ambassador Paul wrote these words of the battle and challenges he was going through: So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. Romans 7:14-21 NLT I deal with this challenge every day! I also recall what ambassador Paul said, and agree! I love God’s law with all my heart. Romans 7:22 NLT Our battle was also Paul’s battle. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:23-25 NLT Yet he did great work for God’s Kingdom! He persevered and overcame to fulfill His assignment in the Kingdom. Do not lose heart! Remember, you will have personal battles concerning your old nature, but the King will always protect you from the evil one—Satan. If you truly love the King’s Word, you will truly obey His commands and He will give you the Governor to live with you and in you to guide and govern you. “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 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 14:15-17 If you want to please the King, be obedient to His Word. People will say they love Jesus, but love is a verb and requires action. Jesus made it very clear what was required: “If you love Me, keep my commandments”. It is as simple as that. Too many people are under the illusion that if they attend a church, that pleases the Lord God. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In God’s Kingdom, if you love your King, you will keep His commandments (laws and principles). Read this statement from John: By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:2-5 Your life source hinges on your faith in His Word. If you are truly reborn of His Spirit, you will overcome this world. His Spirit causes us to be overcomers, not warriors. The Lord God has angels to do His bidding for us on His behalf. Angels are the army of the Lord. We are His children and citizens of His Kingdom. Citizens of His Kingdom never carry weapons to defend themselves. They trust in the King’s promises of protection. But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8-9 I close with the encouraging words of King Jesus: "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NLT Remember, your greatest asset is your faith in the King’s Word. All scriptures are NKJV unless noted W.R. Luchie www.kingdomcitizens.org |
