Saturday, March 26, 2005

Seeing the Kingdom

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)
Jesus was not talking about going to heaven. In fact, the words “born again” literally mean “born from above.” That is something that happens by the Holy Spirit, through faith in Jesus Christ. It is much more about being of or from heaven than going to heaven.

Jesus is talking about seeing the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God, in heaven — and on earth. And in order to see this kingdom, Jesus says, we must be born from above.

Any person who is not born from above, by the Spirit of God, cannot see the kingdom. But turn that around, and we discover that anyone who is born from above can see the kingdom of God.

Are you born from above? Then you have the capacity to see God’s kingdom, His rule and reign demonstrated on earth.

Not only that, but as a child of heaven, you have the authority of the Lord’s Prayer to call forth the kingdom of God and direct the will of God to be done on earth just as it is in heaven.

The ministry of Jesus was all about bringing forth the kingdom of God on the earth.
  • He came preaching, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15).
  • “When the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing” (Luke 9:11).
  • Not only that, Jesus sent His disciples to do the exact same thing: “Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such as they set before. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you’” (Luke 10:8-9).
  • The healing signs and wonders of Jesus and His disciples were a demonstration of the power of God’s kingdom: “If I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you” (Luke 11:20).
Are you ready to see the kingdom of God? If you are born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, you qualify. The kingdom is all around you, here and now. Meditate on the Lord’s Prayer, understanding that you have authority to call for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Begin to act on that. Then watch in expectation.

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