THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU

Most of us think of a 1000 year dispensation when the Kingdom of God is mentioned. There is probably not too much wrong with that approach, except that it may notbe exactly correct.

Fact is, if we were to ask a hundred people about the Kingdom of God we would possibly get over 90 different explanations. That would be OK, for it is almost impossible for us to understand things of the Spirit with our natural minds.

Let’s look at a few scriptures that MIGHT help us to come to a better understanding of the subject.

When Jesus had a night visitor (Nicodemus) He cut the question short by saying : Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be BORN AGAIN, he cannot see the KINGDOM OF GOD.

Jesus used the word that is translated "from above" six times, as opposed to "born again" three times. Most of the translations I have used the term "from above".

We have to remember that the Jewish religion was "Works-based", which made it very difficult for a person to relate to a new method of approach to God and Salvation.

Jesus WAS introducing a new relationship to God, whether the people were ready for it or not. The history of the human race is that they have NEVER been ready for what the Lord was going to do. I seriously doubt that WE will be "ready" for what God will do the next time.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Joh 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Let’s not be too hard on Nicodemus, for our LACK OF UNDERSTANDING may be as bad or worse than his was.

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

We have many good people today who preach and teach that Jesus was telling the ruler in Israel that he would have to be baptized in water and receive the Holy Ghost before he could be saved.

The name of that teaching is "WATER AND SPIRIT".

That interpretation is fatally flawed because it has been MADE TO SAY something that it DOES NOT SAY.

Jesus told Nicodemus plainly what it meant, but many of us prefer to believe it the wrong way. It fits OUR DOCTRINE BETTER.

Joh 3:6 That which is BORN OF THE FLESH IS FLESH; AND THAT WHICH IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT IS SPIRIT.

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (from above)

Baptism in water has NOT been used to denote a birth, but it HAS BEEN likened to a burial. There is a BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

I am NOT saying that Baptism in water has no place in our relationship to Jesus—simply denying that it is an integral part of making our initial contact with the Saviour.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

The two experiences are basically separate events. One can be pursuant to the other.

1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

The Catholics, and maybe others, practice infant baptism to "drive the devil out" of the infant, because they have been "born in sin". It is the doctrine known as BAPTISMAL REGENERATION. I reject it in all its forms.

If my understanding is correct, Jesus defined the nature of the New Birth in His conversation with Nicodemus.

It is identified more by its EFFECT than anything else.

Joh 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Sometimes, the most discernable effect of the Spirit Birth is the CHANGE that is wrought by its presence in the life of the believer… It is impossible for others to observe all that God is doing in our individual lives, except for that out-working of the Spirit of Holiness

Salation is absolutely FREE, with NO STRINGS ATTACHED. It requires ONLY that we CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD, asking Him to save our soul from what awaits after death. That is our STARTING POINT in our relationship with Him. BUT IT IS ONLY A STARTING POINT. There is much more to follow, and it can become difficult.

Luk 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

After a person has established a relationship with Jesus, he has become eligible to participate in the quest for the rank of SONSHIP, or citizenship in the KINGDOM OF GOD.

That can, and often does, entail "blood, sweat and tears", for it strikes squarely at the root principle of our human lives—the very NATURE we were born with—the NATURE OF SON. (the axe is laid to the ROOT of the tree). It can be a quite violent process—causing great pain and anguish in our lives. The process is controlled entirely by the individual, in ratio to our co-operation with the Spirit of God. When He touches an aspect of our life, if we respond favorably, the process continues. One "NO" from us, and the process stops.

Several names are put on the process, such as "SONSHIP", "MATURITY", "OVERCOMING", and others that I don’t think of right now. It invariably takes place within the inmost confines of the heart of the individual believer, and is observable ONLY by the resultant adjustment of the life.

It is WORTH STRIVING FOR. IT IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO BELIEVERS AFTER THEY have established a relationship with Jesus at the Cross, by His Blood and Mercy.

You can be a Christian (Salvation) WITHOUT progressing on to attain to the kingdom of god STATURE. But "WHY?.

It will be worth it all, in the end.!