What is KINGDOM LIVING? (Part 1)

In this series of Spirit-led essays, "What is KINGDOM LIVING?" we attempt to reveal the essence of KINGDOM LIVING. Join us as we explore concepts like AGAPE LOVE, radical generosity, and self-giving, which all mirror God's heart of ABSOLUTE GOODNESS. Grounded in SCRIPTURE, in this series, we dive deeply into concepts like "laying down one's life," "discipleship," "Grace," and trusting in God alone to TRANSFORM US from the inside out.

"To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence." 2 Peter 2:1-3

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As detailed here, KINGDM LIVING is about seeking the things above, being rooted in Christ's love, and becoming reflections of God's ABSOLUTE GOODNESS, as He intended. This is the first of many essays discussing and exploring "KINGDOM LIVING."

"For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. " 2 Peter 2:4-7

This essay demonstrates how, through God's grace, we're empowered to put on the new self, live in harmony with God's character, and carry His power to love others selflessly. Ultimately, it's a profound journey into self-giving love and the transformative power of God's grace.

"For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. " 2 Peter 2:8-10

Love happens when our WILL is focused on goodness for others, and we are willing to sacrifice ourselves to serve them. Love is always selfless and SELF-GIVING and captured best as a reflection of God’s heart and His absolute goodness.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness." Galatians 5:22

The Father asks us to LAY DOWN our lives and to pick up and receive His life, His full life.

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." 1 John 3:16

TRUST God, TRUST Jesus. Put all your faith and confidence in the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit to build the Kingdom of God.

"Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God." Colossians 3:1

Kingdom Living is to walk (live) reflecting the Character and Power of God. Jesus is our life and the power of God.

"The power of God caused the word to spread, and the people were greatly impacted." Acts 19:20

God RAISED Jesus from the dead, and we were with Him, which means that those in Christ have been crucified with and in Christ. Our old self is dead. In Christ, we are SET FREE from self.

"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2

Seek the Things Above, IN CHRIST

The Bible tells us to seek the things above, the things of God in Christ, who is in Heaven above. We are called to SET OUR MINDS on the things above, toward Christ.

"For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit." Romans 8:5

To “set our mind” is to focus and seek only that which is Christ’s, and IN CHRIST, who is hidden in God, who is Spirit.

"For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace" Romans 8:6

According to the Bible, those IN CHRIST have died to themselves; they have been crucified in Christ, and we have been given His full measure, including HIS life. We are hidden IN CHRIST.

"For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:3

We are DEAD TO SELF, dead to sin, dead to immorality and lust, dead to the desires of the FLESH.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." Ephesians 4:31

We are called to lay down our lives, put away anger, wrath, and malice, and instead, LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Love is to seek the goodwill of others.

"When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory." Colossians 3:4

Grace Has Been Given to Put on the New Self

We are called and equipped to PUT ON THE NEW SELF in Christ. Being made in the image and likeness of God, Christ is all and in all.

"Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry." Colossians 3:5

Chosen by God, He has made us HOLY and RIGHTEOUS. This means we are made ONE WITH GOD, and like Jesus, the Father will shine through us, making us reflect His absolute goodness.

"For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them." Colossians 3:6-7

Consequently, we can put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiving one another because HE DOES IT THROUGH US.

"In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures." James 1:18

Put on love and let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. Being ROOTED and GROUNDED in the love of Christ, BE THANKFUL, PRAISE GOD, and encourage one another.

"But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices," Colossians 3:8-9

We have been given THE Faith of God, God’s very own Faith. Because He is the Father of Faith and He has confidence in HIS FAITH, we, too, have confidence in His faithfulness, which we RECEIVE as a gift of Grace.

"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21

Rooted and Grounded in the Love of God IN CHRIST

God, our Father, is filled with JOY AND HOPE, and as our Father, He has given us the fullness of His JOY and HOPE, the same measure of the Joy and Hope the Father enjoys with His children.

"and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—" Colossians 3:10

We are the SEED of LIFE, rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. Having been established in CHRIST, we are the DOOR to the Kingdom of God.

"and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." Colossians 3:10-11

Jesus manifested the KINGDOM of HEAVEN and gave us the power to die to self and to bear much fruit. Because of God’s Grace, He asks us to give Him our entire life and everything in it and to trust Him and His Grace completely. Like the Prodigal Son, we can bring our entire life to Him.

"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you." Colossians 3:12-13

Kingdom living is placing trust and FAITH of GOD, always striving for more of Him, learning to rest, and trusting Him to work in our lives to bring about His good.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:29

Faith is Confidence in God That We Can Take the Heat with Him IN CHRIST

"I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." Galatians 2:20

God is calling us to do something we can’t do but will happen because God will give it to us as HE manifests HIS POWER and LOVE through our lives.

“And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation." Luke 11:4

For example, God gives us THE POWER to forgive those who hurt us.

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

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