Kingdom Culture: Part Two
God wasn’t surprised when sin entered His Kingdom and mankind lost their rights; His plan was eternal and would not be thwarted. Read Gabriel’s message to Mary of the promised Messiah:
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end. Luke 1:32-33
Only the Messiah, the Christ, had the authority to restore the kingdom culture to mankind but it wouldn’t be the lower story, a physical kingdom, but the upper story, a spiritual kingdom. Although Old Testament is filled with kings and kingdoms in the lower story they’re only foreshadows of the invisible kingdom, the upper story, that’s promised to believers.
Jesus was clear that there’s an entry point into this new way of life, this kingdom culture:
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20
We must be righteous in God’s eyes to enter His kingdom culture but how does that happen?
Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
Mark 10:15
Our childlike trust in God to forgive and save us from our sin gives us access to the kingdom of God because Jesus declared us not guilty before the Father. He took our sin and gave us His righteousness as a free gift; that’s our access code.
God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3
When Jesus appeared on the earth He declared that this invisible, accessible kingdom culture was back again.
The time promised by God has come at last!” He announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” Mark 1:15
If this kingdom culture is invisible, the upper story, how do we know we’re in? Good question.
Jesus went on to say, “I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power!” Mark 9:1
So it’s invisible, a spiritual kingdom and yet we can see it. Hmmmmm, thankfully Jesus cleared that up when He instructed us to go and re-present Him to the world as His image-bearers.
Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ Luke 10:9
But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Matthew 12:28
We don’t need a culture change but to operate in the Spirit’s power in us to heal and deliver His people as Jesus instructed.
For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21b NKJV
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