(a chapter from my book, Facing Change)
In our natural world, the following things tend to progressively draw us away from our essential humanity and, at the same time, away from God:
- Sin
- Idolatry
- Love of money
- Loss of connection with God
- (of late) the tyranny of technology, or any tyranny
Remember that as defined by God, humanity is a higher-level type of humanity than most human beings will ever experience in their lifetimes. The real humanity that God talks about is the same humanity that He created Adam and Eve with before sin befell humanity in the Garden of Eden.
I had the strangest dream last night. I dreamt of walking through a city street with buildings with tortoise motifs, tortoise columns, and tortoise pillars. One day, the tortoises came to life, became kings, and took the humans as enslaved people and workers. If we worship tortoises, we become their slaves. But if we worship God in the name of Jesus, He sets us free. This is the neutral ground that many atheists seek and want. Many secularists believe that atheism is the neutral ground because of the existence of deadly and destructive religions all around the world. There is a type of Christianity that leads to life and seeks to unite many groups into one group set apart for God. Deadly and destructive religions all around the world seek to polarize and divide.
The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. [1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT] Christ has brought us peace. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the law system with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. [Ephesians 2:14-15 NLT]
On the contrary to our natural instincts, the kingdom of God, when it is established in our lives, will:
- Set us right before God
- Re-establish our personhood
- Restore back to us our true humanity
Some people frequently feel distinctly different after their salvation in Christ Jesus. They feel more alive and purposeful. I didn’t feel very different at my confession of faith in Jesus Christ when I was five, in my late teens, and again in my late 30s. Still, my life took on whole new dimensions in totally different trajectories. This is my expectation every time I pray the sinner’s prayer with every new Christian every weekend with the congregation in the Body of Christ.
Jesus ushered in the advent of the kingdom of God. These are some passages from scripture where Jesus speaks about the kingdom of God. [John 3:3 NIV, John 3:5-6 NIV, Luke 17:20-21 NIV, Hebrews 1:8 NIV]
What is the difference between an endurance race through the furnace of the holiness of God versus a treadmill through the fires of hell?
- Operate in the Spirit of truth and freedom versus the spirit of slavery and oppression
- Operate in the power of God versus the power of darkness
- Fueled by truth and hope versus fueled by deception
- Creative and constructive versus deadly and destructive
- Positive results versus negative results
- Righteousness and justice versus sin and decay
- Rest versus unrest
- Peace and prosperity versus darkness
- Life and blessings versus death and destruction
- Direction and purposefulness versus emptiness and restlessness
- Fruitfulness versus barrenness
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
Your Kingdom
Where You rule, comes righteousness
Justice in the land is evidence of Your throne
People try to strive for what You give for free
For a simple faith in Jesus Christ
Kingdoms come and kingdoms go
Kings and queens they’ve never known
What we’ve known since Jesus Christ
Your Kingdom, kingdom of God, is for keeps
Out of love, You sent Your Son
Walked the Earth and spoke to men
Crucified and rose again
Laid down Your life then took it up again
Nail through Your open hand
Your Grace that sets us free
Blood on the Cross perfect atonement
Your Salvation for all humankind
Bible References: [Psalm 89:14 NLT]
May the grace and peace of Abba Father the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Thank You, Abba Father, Lord Jesus Christ.
In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
Word Sabre, scribe for Abba Father, LORD GOD, Lord Most High, Lord Jesus Christ.