Jesus presented the Christian mindset in the concept of a kingdom experience. He wanted us to know that by our citizenship of a kingdom, we are beneficiaries of the kingdom life. He introduced this truth to His disciples who asked for help to pray seeing that Jesus’ life was result oriented.
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven...” Luke 11.2 NKJV
Why did Jesus lay emphasis on the kingdom being established on earth as it is in Heaven? The revelation will enlighten your mind to the glorious life and opportunities that comes with a kingdom attitude over the worldview. The answer also lies in the understanding of what kingdom and citizenship means for even some of its implications in the secular are similar to the spiritual.
The kingdom concept of rulership may not be relevant in most parts of the world today because of the growing influence of the democratic system of governance. It is a powerful and influential institution where it exists. Kings have complete authority over their people and made laws that were for their well being.
The citizens also had certain rights by belonging to a kingdom. There was a mutual goodwill between the king and his people and when there was good governance, both flourished. However, as in everything, there were exceptions to the rule of notorious wicked rulers.
But that is where the similarity in influence and power stops and the true experience of the kingdom begins with the rulership of God. He is the Almighty and perfect King. He reigns in Heaven and also over all creation. However, his rule on earth is not like the earthly type of a physical for and experience.
God’s rule is unique and spiritual as it starts from within to give a transformation on the outside that affects the world. This is what Light does. It makes an entrance that influences the area of darkness to cast it out. His rulership works from one individual heart to another. This is the reason Jesus said:
“You are the world’s light – a city on a hill glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father” Mathew 5.16 – 17. Living Bible.
By good deeds, he is not seeking philanthropic activities because unbelievers also do good works but He was referring to the works of the kingdom – manifestations that give light and validity to the kingship of God in your life. Jesus was saying we should live (thoughts, words and deeds) in a manner that will bring people to God in the same way they marvelled at the difference that Jesus made. Two testimonies in Jesus life show the operation of the kingdom.
Nicodemus said of Him:
“Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him” John 3.2 NKJV
The kingdom was visible to him and others. He was later converted. Another incident was at the raising of Lazarus from the dead:
“Then many Jews who had come to Mary and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him” John 11.46 NKJV
In other words, Nicodemus and the people at Lazarus’s tomb saw and allowed the kingdom influence to reign over their lives and transform them. Like Jesus, we must seek to have the all powerful and sovereign rule of God as an experience in our lives first and then outward like a light to guide others. An attitude that leads people to the LIGHT in a specific an unequivocal way or else we will just a reflection of another light not THE LIGHT, another religion but not THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE – JESUS
Oh! You wonder, but how can I apply this principle to my work and life? Then learn from Daniel and Joseph. Daniel was in captivity yet thrived in a kingdom spirit that was the only thing that his detractors could use against him. He was one of the wise men employed by the king to give him counsel on all matters of state and personal life. It is like a modern day special adviser or ministerial appointment.
“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governors for he had great ability and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer. This made the other presidents and governors very jealous and they began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling his affairs as so they could complain to the king about him but they couldn’t find anything to criticize!
He was faithful and honest, and made no mistakes. So they concluded “ Our only our chance is his religion”. Daniel 2-4, Living Bible (emphasis mine)
What a commendation! I pray that you and I will have this testimony of our lives as we strive to daily walk in the kingdom mindset – the Christian Life. How did Daniel achieve this feat? Simply, by following a divine protocol. He did exactly what Jesus said and which differentiates us from the worldview.
“But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His Righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” Mathew 6.33 Amplified Bible.
Jesus said, Go to God first about ANYTHING (whether of a spiritual or material nature) because often, we streamline our relationship with God only on the ‘spiritual’ while we ‘go to Caesar’ for the material. When we apply the divine protocol, we find that it becomes irrelevant to have recourse to anyone else.
For the wisdom, skill, resources, relationships and opportunities we need come as a complete package with the spiritual. The kingdom perspective is that one with God is a majority – COMPLETE AND LACKING IN NOTHING.
“ And you are in Him made full and having come to fullness of life ( in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead – Father, Son and the Holy Spirit- and reach full spiritual stature) and He is the Head of all rule and authority( of every angelic principality and power) “ Colossians 2.10. Amplified Bible
Daniel’s life influenced many and caused a nation to take notice. Even the king, Nebuchadnezzar who was feared by his people bowed before him in honour. Daniel had to solve a very complex task of finding out and interpreting the king’s dream. He rose up to the challenge unlike Isaac who initially sought to flee to Egypt.
Daniel fled first to God for refuge “a very present help in trouble” Psalm 46.1. He didn’t depend on his widely acclaimed intellectual mind, people or even to act beggarly towards the king. Rather, he went with confidence to him and sought a specific time to give an answer to the king’s request. The result of his action?
“I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might and have now made known to me what we asked of You. For You have made known to us the king’s demand” Daniel 2.23 NKJV
The effect of this wisdom in solving the problem was astounding. Not only did he save the lives of all the remaining advisers but it made a huge impact on the king.
“Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face prostrate before Daniel...The king answered Daniel and said “ Truly your God is the God of gods; the Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets since you could reveal this secret” Daniel 2.46-47. NKJV (emphasis mine
Because Daniel distinguished himself as an adviser, his LIGHT overwhelmed and caused the king to bow to that GLORY of God revealed in Daniel. This is a fulfilment of the scriptures concerning the children of God to the effect that
“But the Lord will arise over you; His glory will be seen upon you. The gentiles shall come to your light and kings to the brightness of your rising” Isaiah 60.2-3NKJV
That is an established spiritual truth about us and which we must plant within our hearts to live from otherwise we will never rise to the heights that Daniel, Joseph, Paul and others attained. Too many Christians are walking with an underdog mentality because they judge themselves by the parameters of the world.
The task before us is not to bring ‘the king’ into a physical subjection but how to influence others in a way that brings them to only one conclusion like Nebuchadnezzar – TO JESUS CHRIST, OUR GLORY AND LIGHT. For in achieving that, we have accomplished our end of the assignment. Therefore we must take definite steps to evaluate where we stand today in relation to what has been written concerning us and God’s expectation and from there we make all necessary adjustments.
We must live, breathe and influence the world for CHRIST by the kingdom spirit or nothing else. There are no options but ONE WAY ONLY! As citizens of an awesome Kingdom, we cannot accept less for ourselves.
IN CHRIST, God has provided us the REST of an inner peace and outward fruitfulness. Jesus had both and so must we aspire to experience the same. It is our rights as citizens and it is available now. I leave you with these scriptures to prod, push and encourage.
“Although GOD’s Promise still stands – his promise that all may enter his place of rest – we ought to tremble with fear because some of you may be on the verge of failing to get there after all.
“So there is a full complete rest still waiting for the people of God. Christ has already entered there. He is resting from his work just as God did after creation. Let us do our best to go into the place of rest too being careful not to disobey God as the children of Israel did thus failing to get in” Hebrews 4.1-2, 9-11. Amplified Bible.
God’s REST about any matter is an experience of trust and faith which comes from seeking Him FIRST and then ceasing from walking in our own wisdom in order to be led in His Righteousness. Only then will we have the EXPERIENCE OF JESUS - THE KINGDOM LIFE. Then we will have understood why Jesus prayed for the presence of the Kingdom in our lives and circumstances.
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