Some of the most prolific teachings and parables that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, left with us are those that were aimed at changing how we think. The meaning of the word ‘gospel’ means ‘good news’, and the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that we can be transformed by changing our thoughts to those that are in line with the way Jesus thinks. The words of Jesus Christ were not his own. He spoke the Kingdom language of God, and this language aims straight for our hearts. You and I must take the time to examine why Jesus Christ did this. Why was his mission to speak to the hearts of men and women so they would be transformed, and what does this say about how you and I are wired?
When Jesus Christ walked upon this earth, people were in bondage in a way that you and I cannot fathom. Sure, today we have our problems, and many of them are critical, but nothing compared to the oppression that many suffered during the time of the ministry of Christ on earth. The political scene of his era was straight up ridiculous, and it dictated and controlled the lives of people to a degree that was truly unbelievable. When we consider this, we can get a feel for the enormous work that Christ undertook. He was not at all deterred or overwhelmed. He was confident and compassionate, because he knew who he was, and he knew who sent him. Jesus Christ walked with the power of the Holy Spirit, and he did everything God wanted him to do, and did it in an astoundingly short period of time.
Jesus Christ wanted the people to know that although they were enduring unspeakable hardship and bondage, there was a way to be free. These folks were not born again. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit as their Guide, Comforter, Teacher, and inner Source of power. Therefore, they had no concept of what it is to operate in, by, and through the Spirit. Jesus Christ is the King, the greatest King of all eternity. He left his throne to come to earth as a Messenger, High Priest, and Prime Minister in order to demonstrate something foundationally phenomenal for those of us living on earth. He personally showed us the way; because he IS the way. He showed us the truth, for he IS the truth. He showed us the life, for he IS the life! We had nothing more than a hint of what was available in the realm of God, but Jesus Christ came down and brought it to us up-close, in person, live, and in technicolor.
1Peter 2:9-10(NLT) tells us, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” Jesus Christ reminded folks who they were. He helped them get a clue that they were more than a body. They were made in the image of God and given His nature. They were created to be God’s sons and daughters and needed to take their rightful place of being in the royal priesthood of God’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ revealed this in many ways. He did it by healing folks from affliction, and he taught them Kingdom principles to free their minds and hearts.
Our High Priest is a King that was sent to earth, a planet that his Father created for the habitation of humanity, to make us a part of the Kingdom of God. Heavenly Father could have created us and given us a place in heaven to occupy, but He didn’t do this. Earth is the place of our dwelling, and our earth suit—the body—is the creation that allows us citizenship in this place called earth. Without a body, we can’t be here. With a body, we not only can have life on earth, but we have received access to a more than abundant life through Jesus Christ. He made this available to us.
Jesus tells us in John 3:16(NLT), “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” God gave the world His greatest treasure. He did this for everyone, not just for those who we think are so sincere and pious, not only for those who seem to be wonderful in every way. God gave His Son so that all of us, whatever our shortcomings and shortfalls, could be transformed through God’s love. The doorway to God’s love is our own hearts. Heavenly Father will not violate our free-will choice. He will not invade our bodies and start moving all the bad stuff out of our hearts and putting all the good stuff in. You and I must extend Him an invitation. We must desire Him to transform us through His Word.
Jesus Christ told us in Matthew 6:33(KJV), “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” You and I are commanded by Christ to seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness above all else. Why? Because this is the way God wired us. We are God’s people. We are His children, and we belong to Him. We were created with His purpose in mind, and if we veer away from His purpose, we will not be satisfied with the results life gives us. We cannot seek the world’s righteousness or seek our own system of righteousness. We are a part of God’s Kingdom, and God meant for us to rule over our lives through His Spirit—through HIS righteousness. There is no other way to be free of bondage and affliction; there is no other way to live a life of abundance, where God’s blessings and promises will materialize in our lives.
All of this is possible through having a relationship with God. It’s what He’s wanted all along. He has established His Kingdom on earth through us, and if we will not take our rightful place as Kingdom dwellers on earth, then we are living far beneath our privilege. Understand that you must be filled with the inner prosperity and wholeness of Jesus Christ before your outward reality can be transformed. Seek God for the missing piece of the puzzle in your life. Seek to know the information that is going to make you free in your mind and heart. When you know it resolutely, when you have received the revelation that makes you confident in your Kingdom reality, you will have reached a level that most have yet to discover. Be confident that God’s Plan for your life will unfold when you seek a Kingdom state of mind! ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
"A Kingdom State of Mind", written for victoryinjesuschrist.life. Copyright© 2020. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
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