They say the world race is about 2 things: personal growth and fruit.
They say that the first six months tends to focus on personal growth and knowing our identity while the remaining six months focuses on knowing our role in the kingdom. It is true that those who’s intention it is to go change the world end up receiving the greatest change. We want to make an impact for Christ and make our world better by loving and serving yet so much of the change – so much of the greatest impact happens right in our own hearts and minds. But as for knowing our identity and for Believers to know their role in the kingdom – I would say that the two are interconnected. You can’t learn one with out knowing the other. In order to understand my identity, I must know what my role in the kingdom is. This will help me know who I really am and what I was made for.
So far, I’ve probably lost some of you. For some of you reading this you might be asking, “what kingdom are you talking about?” You might be thinking I’ve gone and flipped my lid with all the Filipino heat and humidity and now I’m talking crazy talk about some kingdom. Rest assured, I can get crazy and it is quite hot here. I’m becoming used to just being hot and sweaty all day long. I long for rainy days now more than ever because it cools those hot days.
But getting back to the kingdom… those who follow Christ – those who call Him Lord and Savior and have acknowledged that He’s the son of God, that He came to earth to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. He paid for our sin by dying on the cross. He died so that I could live. He then rose from the grave because He has power over death and said that if anyone believes on Him, repents of our sin and confesses that He is Lord would be saved and given life eternal with Him. Those who have surrendered their lives and their life styles to Him – Him being the only one that gives hope, the only one that can forgive and redeem, make things new and truly set free. For those, Jesus has said we are apart of a kingdom – a heavenly kingdom. I know it might sound weird, but it’s true.
The whole reason why Jesus came to earth in the first place was because God sent him to preach the good news of the kingdom of God. (Luke 4:43)
Jesus then sent His disciples out with power and authority to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick in Luke 9 and ultimately He gives us the same commission.
In Matt. 3:2 and 4:17 he said “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” There is certainly a future kingdom that awaits us, but we are apart of that kingdom even now while we’re on earth. The kingdom of heaven began when God entered humanity.
We’ve all either heard or what one time or another have prayed the “Our Father’s” prayer. You know the one… Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matt 6:10 says the kingdom is coming, and is not only waiting for us in heaven, but it’s also here on earth. Today, Christ reigns in the hearts of Believers through the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 2: 9 says we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood… We’re royalty and belong to His Kingdom – making us strangers and aliens in this world as He urged us to abstain from sinful desires that war against our souls. The kingdom won’t be fully realized until evil is judged and removed from the earth, but we are of God’s kingdom right now.
Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven, in Matt. 16:19, saying whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
In Romans 8 15 – 17 it says that we’re co-heirs with Christ. We have an inheritance and are co-heirs of this inheritance. We have rec
eived the Spirit of sonship making us God’s children. If we’re God’s children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ – sharing with his suffering as well as his glory in and through us.
If we’re co-heirs with Christ, then what is our inheritance? In Psalm 2:8 it says, ask of me and I will make the nations your inheritance and the ends of the earth your possession.
Our inheritance is the nations! It’s reclaiming the nations of this earth and bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.
Even though I belong to the kingdom of heaven now, I also wait for the fulfillment of the kingdom in heaven.
Matt 13:41 says the kingdom of heaven is like hidden treasure – it’s more valuable than anything I have.
So, even though I’m in God’s kingdom now because I’m sealed with the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of my inheritance making me co-heirs with Christ. I’m chosen and sent by Him to preach the good news of the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom is supposed to be revealed in me because Christ is in me. I also wait for the kingdom to be fully revealed when there is a new heaven and a new earth. The day when evil will be judged and removed from the earth.
So what do I do about treasure that is hidden? I go find it. I go after it with everything that I have. Christ is in me, but I also continue to seek Him daily like a hidden treasure. Everything pales in comparison to finding that treasure. I must be willing to give up everything in order to obtain it.
So far, my time on this race has been a crash course reminder of who I am as a kid of the kingdom and what my role is in that kingdom.
What I know about the Kingdom of Heaven:
- His kingdom is spiritual
- It’s established in the hearts of believers
- The power and presence of God dwells in believers through the Holy Spirit
- The kingdom of God is in believers and we are sent to preach the kingdom of God.
- I’m a co-heir with Christ and have been given an inheritance of the nations.
If this defines who I am as a follower of Christ, then do I live as if this is true? Do I believe this and has this changed the way I see myself and my purpose on earth?
