Kingdom of God, His Spirit Arises
Jesus revealed the Kingdom of God through His life and work here on earth. Each of His servants will enter His Kingdom. As I meditate on the Kingdom of God once again, I am reminded of one of the sequels of the movie classic Star Wars, a New Hope. The sequel, The Force Awakens, sets the stage for those who know the force and uses it to combat the evil in the universe.
This thought brings us back to the reality that the Kingdom of Jesus is a matter of the Spirit, not this world [Romans 14:16-18]. Since the Kingdom of God is a matter of the Spirit and not this world, then it is indeed powered by the Spirit of Jesus [1 Corinthians 4:20]. It is not something we teach, preach, or just talk about. The creative energy of Yahweh’s almighty Spirit is present with each of Jesus followers. It enables them to accomplish His will here on earth as it is accomplished in Heaven [Matthew 6:10].
Jesus imparts His wisdom and power to each of His followers [Joel 2:28-29]. Jesus sent His Spirit to indwell and empower each born-again believer [1 Corinthians 12:11]. The work of Jesus’ Spirit is to prepare [Romans 12:2] and empower [Romans 8:29] each believer in Jesus the Christ to be the light and salt of the earth. He equips them to accomplish any and every good deed in helping others [2 Timothy 3:16-17].
The Kingdom of Heaven is not only a matter of His Spirit and power, but it is a matter of a new birth [John 3:3-5]. Jesus explained to those who sought Him out that a person must be born of His Spirit to enter His Kingdom. It is not good enough to be born physically as part of Yahweh’s creation. Adam’s sin hurled the world into a devolving cycle [Romans 8:22]. Sin is a deadly curse on all of Yahweh’s creation. Paul states that flesh and blood, tainted by sin, cannot enter His Kingdom [1 Corinthians 15:50]. It is a kingdom of His Spirit and by His Spirit and must be indwelt by those who are of His Spirit.
The Spirit and power of Jesus provides salvation and new birth to those who place their faith in Jesus. The spiritual new birth of each believer empowers them to live as Jesus did and serve as Jesus did. We have all we need to live a new and transformed life. Because He is faithful and able, we can say like Paul, ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me.’ [Philippians 4:13]. We must be faithful to Jesus, who is faithful to us through the work of His Spirit. We must stay focused on Jesus and His Kingdom as He is attentive to our life [Hebrews 12:1-2]. Jesus stepped out of heaven and into our lives through the Spirit of almighty Yahweh. Jesus imparted His wisdom and power to each of His followers [Joel 2:28-29]. Jesus sent His Spirit to indwell and empower each born-again believer [1 Corinthians 12:11]. The work of Jesus’ Spirit is to prepare [Romans 12:2] and empower [Romans 8:29] each believer in Jesus the Christ to be the light and salt of the earth. He equips them to accomplish any and every good deed in helping others [2 Timothy 3:16-17]. Let us live in the Spirit, serving and enduring for the Kingdom of God [Acts 14:22].
For Jesus’ Kingdom
Hugh Folds
Interim Pastor
Romans 14:17
