Let us not doubt who we are, let us live in whose we are, let us see Gods view of us…

∑     Chosen us for Gods name (Acts 15:14)

∑      Chosen us for Gods own possession (1 Peter 2:9)

We are called ‘People of God’ (1 Peter 2:10).Distinct from world around us so we were called ‘People of the Way’ (Acts 9:2; 19:9; 23)

The early church ‘stood out’ in their

∑      Attitude; Behaviour; Talk; Family Values

∑      Work Ethic; Integrity; Civil obedience

∑      Covenant Relationships

Through becoming a ‘new creation’ 2 Cor. 5 (Regeneration) transferred from one kingdom to another. (Col 1:13) Our difference defined by our life in Christ’s Kingdom.

Jesus highlighted this before Pilate, John 18:33-37. My Kingdom not of this sphere; realm; world. It is not sourced in this time/space world. Pilate intrigued would like to have known more.

What kind of Kingdom is this?

∑      Invisible but Real: Psalm 103:19

∑      Operating to its own currency and ways, different to the created world: Psalm 115:3

∑      Eternal not just passing, it is established  and will continue: Psalm 145:13 

Here in submission to Christ as King discover starting point of Kingdom agenda in our lives.       Christ’s silence before Pilate was not cowardice.        Christ knew visible controlled by invisible.        Christ knew the Divine Purpose was being outworked in this Cosmic moment.        Silence therefore befitting what was happening.      Although stakes high for mankind – Jesus had nothing to say to the world of men.         He knew his stance was now in confrontation with Satan/demons.        Pilate was the instrument of Father’s will, shocker Acts 3:16-21.       After 4000 years – time arrived to crush serpents head. When he’d prayed ‘not my will …yours’ in Gethsemane and drunk the cup.     The whole Redemption drama moved to higher plane.       Jesus silent knowing God’s purpose must be viewed from Heaven’s perspective.         Lose sight of invisible Kingdom end up pursuing the visible kingdom.

This is why Jesus said ‘Seek first the Kingdom’. (Matthew 6:33)       This is the ultimate priority for Kingdom people.         In accepting this we are saying we accept/submit to Christ’s Kingdom.

∑      Christ is over us as King

∑      We are his brothers and sisters, as Subjects yet joint heirs, as created yet brought to a place of co participant with God, brought into the relationship with God, now a shared life

∑      To live by Kingdom ways

∑      To fulfil Kingdom agenda in our world.

Ultimate accountability for the coming Kingdom motivates immediate responsibility.    To cause us to live as Kingdom people God has given us discipleship structures to our lives

∑      Family; School; Community; Work place

∑      Church; Civil Government and often a

∑      Mentor:  whose integrity, spirituality yet normality has earned our respect/trust.

To this extent your life lived by Kingdom pattern, ways.       To this extent in life comes and holds together.      Just as he does the universe. Col 1:15-17 (message)

The Kingdom life is internalised in our Humanity.       Everything is touched by Cause/Effect.        Before coming to Christ our effort to keep law external to ourselves was legalism.        Now the law of Kingdom written in our hearts out minds.       It is internalised in Kingdom.       This means things start changing from within – This process – of Christlikeness, Kingdom alignment always means Kingdom adjustment. e.g. Isaiah 6:5 ‘Ruined’ – ‘Coming apart’.       Coming apart before the throne, until grace cleansed, adjusted and brought him together again – Conformed to image of King.

Where shall we go to in our next blog?