The Kingdom of God in a Word… Vision

Matthew 13:13-17, “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. In their case the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled… But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. For truly I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”

Jesus in saying in context of the passage that there is vision and hearing of the “word of the kingdom.” (v. 19) So for those who would like a description of what the gospel of the kingdom of God is, I would say vision. As God’s kingdom which is sown inside of you through salvation grows and displaces all those things not God; the one thing that happens is spiritual vision become clearer and clearer. The kingdom of God is seeing the murmuration created by the Father in concert with the Holy Spirit, at the direction of Christ, and the cooperation or coercions of people.

This vision allows the importance of today to shine a light on the insignificance of tomorrow. Our destiny is to be conformed to the image of Christ according to Romans 8. That is the long term plan, but each day is lived on purpose for the kingdom. Each day is filled with special awareness of God, and subtle and not so subtle acts of obedience; perhaps even conscious and unconscious obedience.

The vision of the kingdom sees God in the center, not the top as He is in everything and holds everything together. The vision of the kingdom of God sees no value in the kingdom of man or man’s plans. This same vision sees God moving and therefore trust God more and more.

There is no need for building something grand; there is no need of completing some work, or becoming some symbol of perfection. The kingdom of God is His, and the vision allows you to see the control He truly has. God does not sit on some throne giving orders, or have to trust man or angel to execute those orders. God is in everything. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. When you “see” the kingdom you see that He does not “need” us. But that we need Him, and what he calls us to do is there for our benefit, not, nor ever His... nor anyone else's beyond the mumuration.

The kingdom is individual responsibility and individual accountability to God. The vision of the kingdom is seeing God orchestrate all that individuality in murmuration like the brain causes muscle, bone, skin, blood, tendons, nerves and more to move in concert with each raise of the hand or step. The kingdom is the mysterious unseen force that uses all the parts to create the desired cumulative effect.

The vision of the kingdom is no longer wanting to be a cancer in that body of Christ or believers. The gospel of the kingdom is that we can all discover, and be our part, and stop resisting of fighting the movement of God. We can all be an image and reflection of Christ. We can all be in individual relationship with God.

The vision is seeing that others have intrinsic value. Something about mankind God loves. Something about every single individual of mankind God loves. The vision lets you see that God loves you. 

I have never explained a music selection with my post, but they all have meaning as they relate to the post. But this song for me says, you are not my king, and I am not yours. Seek the truth for yourself as I cannot save you. If you think God's kingdom is anything about you or me or any man being in charge of anything you are so sadly mistaken. The gospel of the kingdom of God is that He is in charge of it all. We do this together, arm in arm, equals. 

The Gospel of the Kingdom

Luke 16:16, “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached…”

If I have a calling in life as a minister it is to proclaim the gospel of the kingdom of God. And yet to the modern church, even though this was Christ message, the good news of the kingdom of God is largely a vague term in modern Christianity. Perhaps it is because understanding the kingdom of God is preceded by the cross, and the cross is nothing less than complete surrender of our life to Christ. All of which sounds painful and full of suffering; and to share that with Christ is completely contrary to everything in us that is human.

I suppose it is natural to want the gospel of the kingdom to be about position, power, influence, and comfort. But it is more about equality, powerless without Christ, being influenced by the Holy Spirit, and peace far and above over comfort of circumstance.

People that enter into the kingdom of God – a part of Christian life here and now – are well acquainted with surrender. They are in constant relationship with Christ and an ever increasing awareness of that. They are increasing in faith daily as they not only understand but live knowing God is in control. Richard Rohr describes these people as possessing a “calm freedom and synchronized playfulness.” Kingdom people live in the moment and the day alert and aware of God moving, hoping to jump or move at His command. These same people have no agenda other than God’s. No plans that He cannot interrupt. Their life may look “normal” or it may look “out there” but for certain when you encounter them they will unconsciously impact your life. They live not for glory, or a pat on the back, but they live for Christ and that relationship. I could continue, but the ultimate summation is that kingdom people look and act more and more like Christ every day.

And so here is the good news of the kingdom of God. It is here and available to you right now. Want to live in the fruit of the Holy Spirit and not just occasionally experience it? The beginning is surrender. Surrender your plans, your dreams, your desires, your will, all of you to Christ. Ask to see His kingdom. Ask to experience His kingdom. Ask to know the truth. Or as many have prayed before, simply “Have your will Lord.” Thy will be done. From that moment on you will be asked, compelled and brought to surrender.

Some might ask, what is going on? Why is my life in this turmoil? It is God requiring your surrender. I asked God to be Lord of my life and now this storm… why? Because He requires that you learn to sleep in the storms before you will ever speak to them and still them. Surrender is total trust in God. TOTAL trust… nothing less. And everywhere you do not trust in God a crisis of faith will occur to show you this place. And with each increase in faith the kingdom becomes clearer and clearer until you reach a point in this surrender through the crisis of faith process that you almost welcome the next crisis because you know behind it is clear spiritual vision, a clearer view of the kingdom of God, and a new closeness to God.

That is the good news of the kingdom of God.  

The Gospel Message

Matthew 4:23, “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom…”

I believe that among Christians there is a great misunderstanding about what “the gospel” is. Most scholars, theologians, and even lay people know the term means “good news,” but what the good news is, is where the confusion comes in. Checking church doctrine across denominational lines you will find most Christian institutions define the gospel message as salvation through Christ. Oh they may get fancy with their descriptions and call it saved by faith through grace, or Jesus died for our sins. All of which is true, but that is NOT the gospel.

The gospel Jesus proclaimed is the kingdom of God is at hand. Salvation is an entrance to that kingdom, but salvation is not the good news Jesus came with.

Think about it. When Jesus sent the disciples out what did He tell them to say? Matthew 10 tells us it was, “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew as a devout Jew would not say or write “God” so he substituted heaven, but the term kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God are one in the same.) Jesus did not say go and declare salvation through me. He did not say go and preach, ‘love one another.’ On the contrary He was very clear… “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” It is close, it is here. That was Christ's message. His good news is the kingdom of God is at hand and you are about to have individual access to it.

Think about the parables. What were they about? They were about the “kingdom of God.” So many of them start the kingdom of God is like… Why? So that post salvation when you experience the kingdom you will have a reference. Jesus was saying this is what the experience is when you are in the kingdom of God.

Some might argue, and I use to even think that by Jesus saying the kingdom of God is at hand that He was referencing Himself. But I do not believe so anymore. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." These were references to the gates into Jerusalem, and He was saying, ‘I am the way into the kingdom of heaven.’ Even more, this kingdom of heaven, this good news was not about some experience post mortality. It is about today. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," was not a hope for tomorrow, but a command for today. An invitation to kingdom awareness. Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God coming upon us. He said that the kingdom has to be received and entered. Over and over and over He talks about the kingdom of God.

Yes Christ died for our sins and believing in Him is salvation by faith through grace. But it is most importantly the entrance to the kingdom of God. And the kingdom of God is that place of awareness of Him. It is awareness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. From inside the kingdom the commandment of love flows out. Did you know that Jesus referenced the kingdom of God nearly 100 times more than He did love? Salvation is mentioned 100 times less that the kingdom as well. Power and miracles too, 100 times less than the kingdom. All of which are important. All of which are part of the Christian experience. But the gospel, the good news is that you have access to the kingdom of God today, right here, right now.

What it is, how it works, that part… it’s the mystery for you to discover. Just ask to enter, and see where your spiritual life goes. 

I can tell you this. The kingdom of God is not a republic, a democracy, or any other form of top down or bottom up organization concocted by man. The kingdom of God is a center out organism. It is God is, and everything else exists in Him and because of Him. His kingdom boundary is where He ends, as if He had an end, which He does not. To be in His kingdom is to be in Him, and to know you are in Him, and He is in you. It is the place where your soul is at home.

Priceless

Matthew 13:44-46, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

In all of the various forms of Christianity it is pretty common to have an understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. Universally it is really understood that God sent His Son for the redemption of mankind.

Less familiar is the Holy Spirit Who is sent by Christ to be our Helper. In fact, the Holy Spirit comes with a bit of controversy depending on denomination and upbringing.

Even less known, or talked about is the Father.

Least of all seems to be this idea of the kingdom of heaven.

Here Jesus comes to earth with a message. That message was the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. It was not the gospel of salvation. It was not the gospel of Christ. It was the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. But what is it?

Simply put, and without theological explanation, the kingdom of heaven is God’s domain. It is the area, the spiritual space that God occupies. Jesus says that it is inside us. (Luke 17:21) Jesus also said that the kingdom of heaven grows. (Matthew 13:33)

So there is this space that is inside of us, containing the Trinity, that is growing and competing for more room. But why do so few connect to it? Why do we hear little to nothing from pulpits regarding the kingdom of heaven? What was Christ first request in Him teaching us to pray? “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

This kingdom is not something reserved for Christ return. It is here now. It is like a treasure that some stumble upon, and it is like a merchant that seeks some out. But it is real, it is tangible, and it is growing inside you. It is accompanied by a growing awareness of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The kingdom of heaven is expanding inside of us, and as it expands it is felt as conflict, ego must move aside and die as the kingdom inside of us grows.

But once the awareness happens, once the scales come off the spiritual eyes and the treasure that the kingdom of God inside us is made real; then we see how priceless it is. It is this kingdom of God awareness that inspires people to lay down their life, to take up their cross, and to do it at any cost.

May God allow you to discover the treasure that the kingdom of God is, and may He do it today.

Seek Him

Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him; for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Those that follow this blog on a regular basis will discover a lot of conversation about knowing Christ and about the concept or teaching of the kingdom of God. The gospel Jesus brought with Him was the gospel of the kingdom of God, and yet in 45 years of church I cannot remember a single message taught to me on the subject. Why is it so foreign?

The kingdom of God is Christ in us. It is the practice of His presence in our life. It is the ability to live now, and in the present. It is something that apparently few truly experience, but as I look back in the history of Christianity there are a few who articulate the experience well.

Please meditate on the following. It is a passage from T Austin-Sparks.

"Of course, we are so largely spectators. We have been very nearly more than spectators, and we find ourselves in the position in which a large number of the Lord’s people are today, in the havoc, the chaos, the evil consequences of evil, the very Devil’s work; in a position of utter impotence, helplessness, driven, no home, no place of rest, nothing here but all around the terrific pressure of evil, the domination of iniquity. This is where the challenge to faith comes. It is in conditions like that that the big question arises. But this letter(Hebrews), and, of course, much more in the Word of God, brings at the outset this before the people of God for their faith, that in the appointment of God, His Son is the heir of all things, and He will have His inheritance no matter what intervenes. This very first presentation to faith links with the whole of chapter 11, for that chapter, that great survey of faith through the ages, is linked with the ultimate issue for the people of God, and that issue is the complete, universal sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son. That is the inheritance.

Now that is the first factor of the Kingdom which cannot be shaken. To these Jewish believers, who were passing through such deep trial, persecution, suffering for the faith, for the testimony, receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken meant that they were to rest upon and be established in the fact as a living thing in their own hearts, that finality is bound up with Jesus as heir of all things, and it is presented to us in the same way…

So that the Kingdom which cannot be shaken is a matter of the utter government of the Lord Jesus Christ in what He represents as the embodiment of God’s thoughts and expressions. I can put that much more simply. The Kingdom which cannot be shaken, which we are to receive, is a matter of the complete knowledge of the Lord Jesus. You and I have NOT got to learn all kinds of truths and doctrines, teachings and interpretations. It is not our business, our obligation to be familiar with all the different kinds of doctrinal truths in the Word of God. Of course, it is very useful in a subsidiary way to know these things, but if we know them all they simply become a matter of intellectual knowledge, and they can then become the ground of a good deal of discussion, argument, and dispute; but they do not get you further than that in a spiritual way. They never constitute for us a Kingdom which cannot be shaken: they constitute the kingdom which is never stable; this doctrinal kingdom, this point-of-view kingdom, even in the things of the Bible. The Kingdom which cannot be shaken is knowing Jesus Christ in our own hearts, God speaking in us in His Son…

…but there is a covenant, there is an expression, there is a revelation of God’s thoughts, God’s mind, God’s will for His people; but now it is upon the fleshly tables of the heart, written by the Spirit of the living God. And right in connection with that the apostle says: “God hath shined into our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” God has spoken in His Son, and now it is a matter of our knowing Christ in an inward way by revelation of the Holy Spirit. That is the Kingdom which cannot be shaken."

So as T Austin-Sparks articulates, the kingdom of God is know Christ in our hearts. It is the awareness that He is in us, wanting for us to follow Him in our day. Ask for awareness of God in your day. If not aware in yourself, then ask to be aware in others, and in other things. See where that takes you with God. The reward spoken of in Hebrews is not something material. The reward for truly seeking Him, for seeking His company, His presence, and nothing more than His face is the awareness He is in you, and all that implies.

The Offense of the Cross

Galatians 5:11, "But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? The the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished."

It is the cross and the offense it creates that stands in the spiritual way of so many people. I dare say that the cross is even offensive among people who call themselves Christians.

From the middle of Jesus' ministry to today the cross has been a point of contention for Christian and Jew alike. For the Jew they expected a Messiah to come and establish Himself Lord of an earthly kingdom. They wanted the Messiah to take what they had, and create something perfect out of it. This never has been the plan of God. God has never planned to make the earth His kingdom. His plan is that the earth and even heaven are destroyed, and that after judgment, those saved will inhabit a new heaven and new earth. I think Christians can understand this by and large.

The offense continues when it gets personal. Long before Jesus ever hung from the cross He was saying, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." (Matt 16:24). Make no mistake... God is not a masochist. Taking up the cross, never has been and never will be about the potential pain. If anything, it is about the absolute otherness of God. It is about is complete and total disregard of anything earthly. Even in His creation, this thing of life on earth, He is not anything like any part of it. The whole has been contaminated. And so the cross offends those trying to hang on to pieces of the perishable v. the indestructible love of God.

The cross offends prosperity. It is offensive to happiness. It rubs against the American dream in the coarsest of ways. People look upon others in the midst of carrying the cross of Christ and judge them unworthy. Even carrying the spiritual cross is offensive in the pain it can yield. But something happens when that cross is carried to the top of the hill. In hindsight there is a joy, a relief, a knowing that somehow you just shared in the experience of Christ. The cross is a beautiful entrance into the Kingdom of God. A kingdom not of this earth but inside you. The cross, if allowed, if picked up, if accepted will transform your very soul in the act of sanctification. It is the cross and its weight that allows Christ to live more fully in us.

From T Austin-Sparks, "The Cross is the only way to spiritual knowledge. Important as study of the Word of God may be in its own realm, as laying a foundation for the Holy Spirit to work upon, you never come to a knowledge of the Lord simply by studying the Bible. The Holy Spirit may use what you know of the Bible to teach you much, to explain your experiences, to enable you to understand what the Lord is doing, but you never get this kind of spiritual knowledge by study and by teaching.

You must be prepared to let the Cross be so applied to your life that you are broken and emptied and fairly ground to powder - so that you are brought to the place where, if the Lord does not do something, you are finished. If you are prepared for that way, you will get to know the Lord. That is the only way. It cannot be by addresses or lectures. They have their value, but you do not know the Lord spiritually along those lines."

I will close with something I just read from Henri Nouwen. It is fitting to the last couple of post concerning standing firm and this one of the cross.

"Standing erect, holding our heads high, is the attitude of spiritually mature people in face of the calamities of our world.   The facts of everyday life are a rich source for doomsday thinking and feeling.   But it is possible for us to resist this temptation and to stand with self-confidence in this world, never losing our spiritual ground, always aware that "sky and earth will pass away" but the words of Jesus will never pass away (see Luke 21:33).

Let us be like Mary, the mother of Jesus, who stood under the cross, trusting in God's faithfulness notwithstanding the death of his beloved Child."

 

Winning

Matthew 5:39, "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.

No sooner had I posted yesterday my disappointment on the results of my obedience, and I opened this from Jim Spivey's blog.

Jim wrote, "I don’t ever get to 'win' at this following His direction thing (and my ego so wants to win and get it all right); no, I will lose, again and again, and He wins for me, giving me more than I ever even knew I wanted."

What happened at the birth of Jesus that changed the nature of following God? Why does the entrance of a messiah make the godly go from smiter to smited? I want to win. I want to smite evil. I want to crush injustice. And yet the New Testament runs in an apparent polar opposite to the Old Testament. Why?

This is largely because the Old Testament is the story of the godly without the Holy Spirit, and without direct access to the Father, and without knowledge of the kingdom of God. Everything therefore became a metaphoric expression of the spiritual. It all was prophetic of the appearance of Jesus on the earth.

Post Christ however, there is the availability of the Holy Spirit. There is entrance into the kingdom of God, and therefore all that is physical becomes irrelevant. In Christianity winning comes from obedience to that Holy Spirit. It is doing that right thing when you know to do it. It is following that compulsion to step out of your comfort zone, and be a reflection of Christ and His love for someone. Then, the prosperity of the Old Testament will be prosperity in Heaven. After all, Heaven is where Jesus said to store up your wealth.

To the world, Charlie Sheen has as good a definition of winning as anyone. But in Christ, winning only comes from obeying by letting go of our will, and following His.

The Kingdom of God

Luke 4:43, Jesus said, "But He said to them, 'I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.'"

What is the kingdom of God? Why did Jesus mention those exact terms 57 times? Why did some gospel writers substitute kingdom of Heaven for the same terms? Why did He send out people to "proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing."

Christians in mass understand salvation, and that Christ died for our sins. Charismatics in mass understand there is a power of the Holy Spirit available for so much including power to heal. But not many understand the kingdom of God. And to be frank, I can see a whole lot more than I understand, and can articulate even less. But scripture says Jesus was sent for the purpose of preaching the kingdom of God.

This would make sense given that nearly everything coming out of His mouth was about the kingdom of God. Nearly every parable was about the kingdom of God. But wait. I thought Christ purpose was to provide the body with salvation?

This is true, but this is a bi-product or necessary precursor for His real purpose of proclaiming the kingdom of God. Salvation is the first step to entering the kingdom of God.

For generations we have been taught that Christianity is about salvation, then overcoming, with no discussion of entering the kingdom of God until we die. I for one have been taught that the part of us that enters the kingdom of God is some resurrected form of our flesh after we physically die. But the kingdom of God is not to come in some distant future, to be experience post physical death. It is here. Jesus said, it is at hand.

So what is it?

The kingdom of God is a place that exists on a spiritual plane. The Greek word used by Jesus in every case was Basileia. Somewhere in history this word lost its original meaning of a physical place, a kingdom, and took on a more action oriented meaning of a reign or kingship. To Plato, a Greek, he understood the word to be a royal palace, and why not? The royal palace is the seat of power for a kingdom. But a kingdom is a place, a place that has a boundary. And the kingdom of God has a boundary. It has a boundary in existence and even has a boundary within our very being, in our soul.

We know the kingdom of God is spiritual and inside us because of Luke 17: 20-21. We know that the kingdom of God can be entered, and that this entrance is granted to child like nature according to Mark 10:15. But not only is there the requirement of a child like nature, but our spirit must be reborn to even see it. John 3:3.

Please understand. Salvation is not a guarantee to enter the kingdom of God. Salvation is a guaranteed escape of hell, but it is only a guarantee that we will "see" the kingdom of God, not entrance. An entrance that can occur in this lifetime. I know the entrance into this spiritual place of the kingdom of God is for this lifetime because God's word say it.

Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven. It does not say their's SHALL be the kingdom of heaven. Jesus said, "But if you cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you." (Matt 123:28) - Here and now.

Not only can we enter it, we can be removed from it... Matt 21:43, "... the kingdom of God will be taken from you..."

The kingdom of God is a mystery that some are given understanding of. (Mark 4:11). In Luke 8:10, "... so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand."

The kingdom of God comes with power. Mk 9:1.

I could go on and on, but the kingdom of God is a spiritual place, with a spiritual boundary. A boundary to which entrance has some requirements, the first of which is rebirth. But then remaining requirements are accomplish with surrender to the cross. The result is a restoration of our child like nature, and innocence. But once you penetrate that boundary, the world is a completely different place. Inside the kingdom of God you understand more fully that we are in the world but not of it. Inside the kingdom of God is a kingdom perspective, that effects body, soul, and spirit.

And most important to me, and the reason I am writing a book title The Father, Son, Holy Spirit, & Coming Kingdom Revival is that Jesus said, "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come." There are a lot of gospels being preached. Mainly a gospel of salvation. The kingdom gospel is what is coming, and needs to be preached. The revelation and revival the kingdom of God will create will fulfill Revelation 11:15, where is says, "... The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." This is not a concept. This is not heresy. This is what must occur. This is what will occur. There will not only be an understanding of the kingdom of God, but it will occupy the spirit and soul of every Christian. It will motivate every Christian. It will bear the fruit of love.

The beauty of it all is that unlike many of my predecessors, and peers I do not believe it is anything more than a choice. It is not a salvation issue, it is an issue of becoming what the Bible calls "The chosen generation." "The royal priesthood" that sees the return of Christ. What is further beautiful is that God has already picked that generation. He calls to every generation to be it, but only one, somewhere in time, will stand up and accept the call. One will, in mass, enter the kingdom of God and fulfill Gods work of having man be instrumental in Satan's final stand. But until that day... YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Whether others join you or not is immaterial.

But be careful what you wish for. Count up the cost. The price of admission is everything. Everything must be honestly and completely subjected/surrendered to Him, or it must be stripped from you. I would say too, that there appears to be no turning back once you ask to come in. You will have to pay the admission, and it appears to be a non-refundable purchase.

In My Father's House

John 14:2, "In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you."

It has been over 2000 years since Jesus left to prepare us a place. Do you think it is really taking that long? Do you think the God of the Universe who spoke everything into existence is in heaven laboring to build mansions? Was this why He was born a carpenter's son?

I hardly think so. And moreover, why would he spend so much time preparing a place if it is in fact some type of "mansion" in a place that will be destroyed. Remember, Revelation says there will be a new earth and a new heaven. God is not going to restore heaven or earth because both have been contaminated by sin.

So perhaps this place that Jesus said He was going to prepare was really our place in God's kingdom. Perhaps it is our place to stand in the kingdom of God. A kingdom that is here and now.

Jesus as a child was separated from His parents. He was found, according to His words, in "My Father's House." I think this speaks prophetic volumes as to God's true intent with us as believers. I think is says we can be found in the Father's House, which is very much also the kingdom of God.

Now some might think that they are in the kingdom of God because they are saved. Others might have no idea what it even means when I say the kingdom of God. But there are those, that the subject is one of complete unspeakable understanding. If you are in the kingdom of God, you first of all know it. Secondly, I am finding that if you are, there really is no articulation for the experience or place. There are plenty of ways to articulate how to get in. There are even ways to articulate the behavior that manifest from inside. But the inside... it is truly other worldly and very difficult to articulate.

After salvation, and before the kingdom of God our prayers are about things that have gone wrong, and disturbances in our lives. We do not identify with the ever presence of God in His kingdom. We do not understand that our very existence is about "My Father's Business."

Oswald Chambers says this, "Narrow it down to your individual circumstances - are you so identified with the Lord's life that you are simply a child of God, continually talking to Him and realizing that all things come from His hands? Is the Eternal Child in you living in the Father's house? Are the graces of His ministering life working out through you in your home, in your business, in your domestic circle? Have you been wondering why you are going through the things you are? It is not that you have to go through them, it is because of the relation into which the Son of God has come in His Father's providence in your particular sainthood. Let Him have His way, keep in perfect union with Him."

Perfect union with Him occurs inside the kingdom of God. Truly knowing you are His child comes from surrender which leads to the kingdom of God.

Inside the kingdom of God you not only know all things work together for good, but you begin to see how things work together for good. Inside the kingdom of God you not only hear His word, but you see how to apply it, and when to apply it. Inside the kingdom of God there are no denominations, but there is the understanding of community and communities. Inside the kingdom of God pain still hurts, but its purpose is seen and the joy allows it to be endured. Inside the kingdom of God true agape love is taught and expressed. Inside the kingdom of God there is no "doing" but there is a lot of "being" and standing.

Rich Young Ruler

Matthew 19:24, "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Previously somewhere in these many post I have commented on this scripture, and how many things other than financial wealth can stand between us and our relationship to God. But today I wanted to use this same passage to show something else.

This passage is the tail end of an encounter a rich your ruler had with Jesus. For years I have argued that in that account Jesus' command to sell everything was not a salvation issue. I reasoned that when Jesus said, "If you wish to be COMPLETE, go and sell... and you will have TREASURE in heaven." The Rich Young Ruler came to Jesus with a loving heart, having earnestly sought God, having lived effectively the commandments. The command was there to show there is something more than just salvation.

But don't believe my interpretation only. In his book first published in 1726 called Christian Perfection, William Law makes the very same argument. In fact, he spends an entire chapter proving the point.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with who William Law is; his writings deeply influenced the Evangelical revival, particularly the ministry of John & Charles Wesley, and many lessor known revivalist.

So with some strong character behind my theological argument, that in so many ways bucks the mainstream, let me press on and rub a few more dogmatic doctrinal feathers.

Jesus says with Matthew 19:24, that it is "hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Where is the rich man trying to enter?

Those obstacles like financial riches, education, talent, that we depend on over our trust in God are all factors that, like the camel, must be taken off of us before we enter the kingdom of God. A kingdom that is not some far off, post death experience, but rather here and now. Money is easy to understand as being something reliable. But there are many things within our soul, our ego, that we rely on more than God. To enter the kingdom of God those must be stripped away.

Let me be very clear. This is not a salvation issue. This is a post salvation walk with God. We are saved by the blood. We are, an addition to salvation, given the right to enter the kingdom of God in this life. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on EARTH as it is in heaven, " Jesus said. He also said in Luke 17:21, "... For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst." Literally meaning inside of you.

Why would so many parables be about obtaining the kingdom of God now? What is obtained after selling everything is a pearl. But that pearl is not salvation. The pearl is entrance into the kingdom of God here and now.

How could Jesus tell the disciples some would not die until they see the kingdom of God? Because some would discover it. Some would enter into it while living.

Why does the kingdom of God belong to a child? Because they are not contaminated with wisdom, judgments, ego, talents, etc.

The kingdom of God is real, it is here, and it is now. It is in addition to salvation. It's entrance is through the cross to bearing down on our ego, stripping us of anything but trust in God.

But don't take my word for it. Try it for yourself. Ask God to show you His kingdom. 

Finally I want to close with what Law said about riches. "If therefore, the rich and great man can find out a course of pleasures, that support no wrong turn of mind; a luxury and indulgence, which do not gratify sensuality; delights, and entertainments, which indulge no vain or weak passions; if they can find out such self-enjoyments of their riches as show that they love God with all their strength, and their neighbors as themselves; if they can find out such instances of splendor and greatness, as gratify neither the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, nor the pride of life; religion has no command against such enjoyments."

It is not about the riches... it is about the heart that possesses them. That heart must be purified to enter the kingdom of God in this life. This pure heart and the entrance into the kingdom of God here and now is of such great value, that Jesus said it is worth selling everything to possess. It is worth getting rid of everything and anything standing in the way.

The Divide of the Cross

2 Corinthians 5:17, "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new."

In Chapter 5 of The Normal Christian Life, Watchman Nee deviates from his discussion on four conditions of the normal christian life to The Divide of the Cross.

With a chapter titled that, one might think he is going to reference the discussion of the offense the cross creates and resulting division among men. In actuality the divide he is speaking of is the division between the old and new. Or the division between the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God. Nee describes it this way, "... in Satan's hand, the first creation has become the old creation, and God's primary concern is now no longer with that, but with a second and new creation. He is bringing in a new creation, a new kingdom and a new world, and nothing of the old creation, the old kingdom or the old world can be transferred to the new. It it a question now of these two rival realms, and of which realm we belong."

This is critical to the Christians life. As the cross is going to be shown to be that doorway between the old and new. It is the doorway between flesh and spirit, the world and the kingdom of God. God is not about fixing a broken creation. The old creation is never to be "fixed" but rather it will pass away. Instead we have an opportunity to go to the new now. This passage is through surrender, through the cross and its representation of laying everything down. Naked on the cross is where the entrance to the kingdom of God lies.

Nee highlights this with, "'delivered us out of the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His Love' (Col. 1:13). Our citizenship henceforth is there. But in order to bring us into His new kingdom, God must do something new in us. He must make of us new creatures... 'That which is born of flesh is flesh'; and 'flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit in corruption' (John 3:6; 1 Cor. 15:50). However educated, however cultured, however improved it be, flesh is still flesh. Our fitness for the new kingdom is determined by the creation to which we belong... Are we born of flesh or spirit? Our ultimate suitability for the new realm hinges on the question of origin.The question is not 'good or bad?' but flesh or spirit?"

Awareness of this spirit realm and rebirth into it are critical. The seeking of the kingdom of God, the Father's spiritual realm, coupled with faith, will lead to coming to know Christ in new and powerful ways. We will share in the experience of Christ's baptism.

"... Are ye ignorant that all we who are baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him through baptism into death" (Rom. 6:3-4). We must now ask ourselves what is the significance of these words.

Baptism in scripture is associated with salvation. 'He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved' (Mark 16:16)... What is salvation? It relates not to our sins, nor to the power of sin, but to the cosmos or world system. We are involved in Satan's world system. To be saved is to make our exit from his world system into God's."

Nee, with a little logic and doctrine, transitions the reader from knowledge and reckoning faith to now focus on the unseen, the spiritual side of life. As we go forward in the book this exploration will get deeper.

Trying - Trying/Trusting v Trusting

Galatians 5:1, "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery."

My faith coach, Jim Spivey, really got my juices flowing this morning with his blog. It was a presentation of law v. faith or trying v. trusting. Something very near to my heart at the moment as I "try" to trust God fully. In the blog a quote really hit me. Not as much for it's content as it is from Watchman Nee who I am currently reading.

Nee says, "We have spoken of trying and trusting, and the difference between the two. Believe me, it is the difference between hell and heaven."

Jim says, "Nothing real and lasting is ever accomplished or secured through 'trying,' because 'trying' is grounded in 'not having,' and 'not having' consciousness cannot leave or transform itself, even in the 'getting.' The experience will stay stuck in 'not having' or 'not deserving,' regardless of the physical circumstances. Only 'already having, but not sure how' (i.e. trusting) consciousness can invite and experience a 'shift' into clearly knowing and appreciating how, whether physically getting or not."

Interpretation - - God says in Psalms 50:10, "For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." God has everything we need physically and spiritually. We have to trust we have it too. We have to trust our need is met because the provision is already there.

So Jim and Watchman Nee, and others, drawl this line between trying and trusting. It is a black and white subject with no mention of grey. And yet I mentioned that I was "trying" to trust. What of trying to trust? And what of trusting God to bless the trying?

We know that in the realm of Christianity there are those that "try" to be Christians. At church and in public they pretend momentarily and act the way that a Christian "should." Yet at home and in private are far different. We see occasionally someone who appears to be fully trusting in their salvation. Free and living for Christ without guilt. But I think most perhaps may fall in between.

When I say that I am "trying" to trust God, the effort is not coming from the trust. The effort is in the crucifying everything within me that will not trust. And in fact it is not me causing the death... it really is God and the only effort I am making is NOT picking up ME again. The effort is to not to succumb to the slight emotional pain and vast life experience. This is something that in the spiritual context is readily understandable. But I want to look at it in the practical world. In the physical world of need.

All around me are people saying "start trying" to provide more for your family and "trust" God to bless that effort. Is this an option in the black and white world of try or trust?

I am reminded of a go-karting lesson. My son raced go-karts on a competitive basis nationally. He was on the same racing team as Danica Patrick. We would go to the races and I was his pit crew. Coming off the track I always made the adjustments to the kart before cleaning it. I wanted the race stuff done first, then the cosmetic could follow. While every other mechanic on the team would clean the kart first and then make adjustments. The results were I was always behind the other guys, and always filthy at the end of the day. Until one day I asked why they did it that way. The mechanic replied, work slower, go faster.

The principle is true. Work slower, and a clean work space, less stress, etc may the job go easier and faster. Likewise more trust and less trying make life go faster... the results come quicker. More prayer, not less until the thoughts are clean, then the work goes faster and is more effective.

I don't have the answer because I am in the middle of discovering the fullness of this truth. The truth to Trust not Try. Somehow if the spiritual is rightly trusting with God, the physical works itself out. Somehow if I/we seek first the kingdom of God (which is spiritual and within us) then all these things (the physical) are added to me/us.

I know that we can trust that we have access to the Father because of the blood of Jesus Christ. I know that when we go to Him in prayer, trusting in that blood and nothing else. In our dirtiest state, or cleanest, trusting in the blood gives honor to Christ and His obedience. I trust that NOTHING can separate me from the love of God. So I go to God, trusting He will speak the answer, show me the path, and display Himself as Provider/Provision in my life. I trust that once I understand Him as such, then He will start the process of showing me Himself as something complete different and expand the total vision I have of Him.

Beyond that I continue to trust and stop trying. Not because it is the latest spiritual fad, but because it is what He is telling me to do. He is saying "stop trying." Shortly I feel He will say "do this" and if He says do this or do that... then I will, trusting it is Him doing it through me. But until then I am going to rest in the freedom from the slavery of trying and my effort.

On the same subject from Hudson Taylor, "Here, I feel, is the secret; not asking how I am to get sap out of the Vine into myself, but remembering that Jesus is the Vine - the root, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruit, all indeed. I have not got to make myself a branch. The Lord Jesus tells me I am a branch. I am part of Him and I have just to believe it and act upon it. I have see it long enough in the Bible, but I believe it now as a living reality... I do not know how far I may be able to make myself intelligible about it, for there is nothing new or strange or wonderful -- and yet, all is new! In a word, whereas once I was blind, now I see... I am dead and buried with Christ - - aye, and risen too and ascended... God reckons me so,and tells me to reckon myself so. He knows best... Oh, the joy of seeing the truth - - I do pray that the eyes of your understanding may be enlightened, that you may know and enjoy the riches freely given us in Christ."

Conclusion - - Trying is our effort, trusting is God's effort... anything in between is lukewarm and as worthless as trying. When we trust God we do, we do not try.... when we trust God we do because it is Christ in us doing.

Death... a beautiful thing!

Philippians 3:10-12, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death... not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on that I may lay hold of (it)..."

I cannot get this scripture out of my mind, and the completeness it represents. It is perhaps a great summary of this entire blog to this point. At the same time it so richly speaks of the Christian experience, or if you prefer, the Christian experiment. Life as a Christian, with its trials and tribulation is the daily crucifixion of our egos, of everything that is not God or Christ like. Likewise, in the absence of tribulation, the very act of love requires the same self denial, the same crucifixion if you will, of our ego. After all, ego will always stand in the way of loving an enemy or any other unlovable. Therefore it must die.

This passage is encouraging. Here the apostle Paul writes the Philippians in shameless surrender to confess he has not arrived. "Not that I have already obtained" tells us that there is an infinitely long path after salvation in the direction of perfection. Knowing full well perfection will not be achieved in this lifetime. This is comforting to me. Beyond comfort, the concept is inspiring. It inspires me to lay aside judgments because the only thing important is the path, not the place on the path.

Though this passage is not explicit in the role death of self plays in entering the kingdom of God in this life, it is a confirmation none the less. Allowing self, ego, to die opens us up to experiencing the kingdom of God from the inside and on our inside. At the end of ourselves is where we begin to see with God's perspective.

One of the other great reminders this scripture provides is that if you are in Christ, then you must also share in His death. This is not a physical death, but a spiritual one. As a result when we see someone going through this process, we know it is not our responsibility to rescue. But rather our responsibility to jump in the mire with them. To help them see the end, to find the door to the other side. To walk with them through the eye of the needle into the kingdom of God. All the while listening to God and obeying His commands.

Having said all of that I must make the point that we know for certain that all tribulation is not part of dying. It could very well be a trap, or a test from Satan. One would not want to jump into Satan's trap with someone else, thus we must hear from God to know when to rescue, when to co-exists with, and when to run.

Because of the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross. There is a beauty on the other side of the death of self. It is a step closer to God. It is a greater experience of His love. It is an opening of heaven and increased communication with the Father. Because of this, and every other thing contained in "joy" death is a beautiful thing.

Kingdom Observation

Matthew 11:7-9, "...Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, 'What did you go out into the wilderness and see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out and see? A man dressed in soft clothing?... But what did you go out to see? A prophet?..."

Recently my parents were given a house full of furniture in lieu of rent. From the picture, and at a distance everything looked really nice. Upon closer inspection; in the arms of us movers, and under the scrutiny of sweat, it was not as nice as seen from the pictures.

In comes the Holy Spirit and we all hear something very similar in our spirits... What is wrong with this picture?

For my mom the furniture was representative of the worldly principle of looking good on the outside, but that close inspection reveals a different more damaged perspective. Guess you could call it a lesson that things are not always as they appear.

For me I thought, wow these people took some stuff that was average and made it look spectacular. They made the most of the gift God had given them. On top of that had no physical attachment to it, but were rather people of honor trying to fulfill their obligation anyway possible.

I asked God why the different perspectives between two people who love you? What can be observed from inside the kingdom of God? Not just the outside hearing the Holy Spirit saying something is wrong. The answer I got was surprising.

When you are observing from inside the kingdom of God the only thing wrong with the picture is you. Everything else is perfect.

How many times has the Holy Spirit asked you, what is wrong with this picture? How many times have you assumed you knew what was wrong? How many times have you thought the answer was you? I am not a psychologists, but I know that contained in our judgements of others is always a judgment of ourselves. This thought gives new meaning to judge not lest you be judged. It is our judgments that judge ourselves. Said another way, our judgements are about ourselves, we only broadcast them onto others.

The people of Jesus' time went to the wilderness expecting to see one thing, and they got John the Baptist. So to we go to the kingdom of God in prayer, expecting to see one thing. Expecting have our will imposed on the earth. Expecting to see what is wrong with everyone and everything else. But what we get is God's perfection while our expectations (judgments) only reveal our own weaknesses and flaws.

I saw something in the people's giving up the furniture not present in myself, a godly trait I don't have. I saw people willing to let go. Others may see something that is present. Regardless, remember that in the kingdom of God we are the problem. We are the ones with the logs in our own eyes. From that perspective we are more inclined to judge correctly.

Kingdom Eyes

2 Timothy 2:7, "Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything."

Most Christians of all denominations and faith acknowledge the Holy Spirit to one degree or another. They accept that He is our helper and guide, and know that sometimes our thoughts are not our own, but placed there by the Holy Spirit. This gives us a counter voice to the voice of the world. What I would propose is that if the Holy Spirit is our facilitator to hearing God, then the kingdom of God is our facilitator to seeing.

Sounds a bit like herasy, but follow me on this one. God is light. Light is energy and mass. God is, and His light emits from Him. Where that light goes is His kingdom. The Holy Spirit operates not only in the kingdom, but beyond it's borders to call people out of the darkness. Darkness is the absense of light, and thus to be outside the kingdom of God. With me so far?

Now scripture can be read with the help of the Holy Spirit. Take for example the parable of the talents. The master gives the slaves talents (6000 days wages) expecting them to invest the money. Upon the master's return he comes to collect. The ones who grew the talents were rewarded. The ones who did nothing had it taken away. With the Holy Spirit we know talents are not just money. With the Holy Spirit we know that the master is the Master, namely Jesus Christ. Now let's open our eyes. Let's look at the scripture from inside the kingdom.

Inside the kingdom we know everything is spiritual. Therefore we know that the talents are nothing earthly. The talent may be mercy, patience, giving, comforting, understanding... anything that is a character of God, or anything that God can imagine. It is not money, education, intellect. For me, God has said my talent is shameless surrender. Therefore it is my obligation, under the kingdom principle to not only use that talent, but use it in such a way that it grows. That others learn or recognize it in themselves.

Don't believe me? Look at Matthew 19:24. Jesus says, "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Again, with kingdom Eyes... where is the rich man going? To the kingdom of God... not a place in the future, but a place here and now. A place that fills us as we enter. And again because the kingdom of God is spiritual we know that a rich person is not only monetary wealth. Riches are anything in abundance that we rely on more than God. Again it can be intellect, education, training... anything. You see the eye of a needle was a physical place. It was in the gate of a khan at Nazareth. It was intended for foot traffic, but for a camel to go through it must be unpacked of its load.  So too a man that relies on the earthy treasures must be unpacked before entering and understanding this kingdom of God principle. The more education you have, the harder it is to unpack. The more money you have the harder it is to unpack.Once on the other side the camel maybe reloaded. God may have us pick up and use the natural talents and gifts, but only after them being laid down. Just like Abraham laid down Isaac.

I have a lot of financial training. I am in a financial crisis because God is helping me unpack all that physical training and education so that I can enter through the eye of the needle into the kingdom of God where I will see and understand Him as my Provider and Provision.

I will close with something from my sight coach Jim Spivey, "What I “see,” thanks to Him, I can sometimes have a hard time convincing other people of, because it is not readily “apparent.”  The only “place” from which I will desperately struggle to do so is the place that has lost touch with His vision.  Clear and in direct contact, there is no drama, for the answer He gave one, He gave all, and it is not my job to manipulate, force, or control access.  It is my job to simply point to the door and invite entry."

Kingdom Come

Luke 17: 20-21, "...the Kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, 'Look here it is!', or "there it is!' For behold the kingdom of God is in you midst." (inside you or within you)

I could post the 2 or 3 lessons leading to this point, but why not just go straight for the desert. Besides that is what everyone really wants anyway. However, before we get there I must preface by saying what I am about to write I have never heard before. In fact I do not have a theological or doctrinal basis for it.

God puts pastors and ministers in my path. As of late, some to learn from, but most to listen to and love on. One thing that I have noticed about the pastors God puts in my path is that they are all by in large in the same financial position of struggle as me. God knows the lessons He is teaching us in this, but I encountered a pastor the other day who is not financially struggling. To me He is an anomaly and in fact knows even more pastors and ministers who are struggling financially. And perhaps struggle is not a good word. Let's say these pastor are provided with just enough. That is a fair assessment of where God has them.

So this comfortable pastor explains that he feels guilty for not having to struggle financially. After all these men have well known ministries, and are considered great men of God. So I see the warped logic of, if a superior is struggling, then why shouldn't he. The following is what I said.

First I really don't see many people struggling like Job where they are attacked in finances, health, and relationships. Reality is the trials of life seem to come in one of those three areas. And they come to everyone. For the comfortable pastor above, his life's challenges are a constant health battle in his family. For others that I know-- they have secure finances, perfect health, but a relationship out of control. If a parent, the relationship is usually a child. All these trials are being used to prove that we are incapable, and that God is bigger than us. They are there for us to surrender to God. The end result being we love each other more.

One of these struggling pastors that I was talking with, like me, lost his business. He also lost his church and everything he owned. Two years ago he had a heart attack at 64 followed by 4 strokes. He has been recovering since, but his health caused the financial demise. Currently his wife has stage 4 cancer in both breast, but he keeps trudging on for God. He is a non-stop flowing fountain of God's word. Including what we all know to be prosperity preaching. And this is where I had to part with him in beliefs.

Here is where my THOUGHTS come in. Again, these are thoughts.

Yes I believe God is a God of restoration. But I also know that Abraham, the father of faith, never saw the promise. He did not see the promise while alive on earth because God was teaching that faith sees the rewards in heaven and earthly rewards are inconsequential.

I don't think God gives a crap about money. He does not care if you have it, and He does not care if you don't have. If you have it and He does not want you to have it, He will take it away. If you don't have it and He wants you to have it, you will. And here is why. Here is how all that prosperity preaching is correct and wrong in the context of money at the same time.

From the fall of Adam to John the Baptist relationship with God was broken. The only communication that God had with the common man was the law and through the physical word. Do good, get money was a type and shadow of what the spiritual world is like. The spiritual world is obey God and get a reward, in heaven. The passover dinner... prophetic type and shadow of what occurred on the cross in the spirit world. I have countless examples.

So here comes Jesus. What did He come preaching? Repent the kingdom of God is at hand. Somewhere over 70 times He mentioned this. This kingdom came with Christ's resurrection and the introduction of the Holy Spirit to the world. (Thy Kingdom Come, thy will be done on earth as in heaven) From that point on the physical was irrelevant, and the spiritual is where the importance and the lesson is. Think about the Pharisees. They were complaining the disciples didn't wash before eating. Jesus commented that the Pharisees clean the outside but not the inside. He was not talking about the cup. He was talking about the person. Luke 17: 20-21 is this transition. It is the expression of going from the law (physical) to grace (spiritual). Yes the physical can mirror the spiritual, but at the same time this is not absolute. Because someone has or does not have money is in no way an indication of their spiritual condition. Peace, patience, understanding... LOVE... these are the true indicators.

And there is nothing or no one better at love than God. If something is standing in the way of that love, be it love of money, love of self, love of relationships... anything, God will remove it so that His love for you can be clearly manifested.