Scripture: Romans 14 v 17 - 19: "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another."
The Kingdom of God is our home. We came from there and want to be back there forever. We are aliens on this planet, and aliens to the world.
Jesus is also alien to this planet. He was sent here by our Father to make a way for us to be reconciled to Him. We became entangled in the world and were trapped in its sinful ways causing us to forget God and stumble in darkness.
Our God, our Father in Heaven, did not forget us, and He had a plan to bring us back through the gates of translucent pearl onto streets that are paved with gold. There is no sin, disease or death there, no darkness or evil of any kind.
The Evil one was discovered there and it has taken a long time to eradicate the damage he caused. His lawlessness, lies and corruption have been blotted out by the Blood of the Lamb on the Cross, and those who believe and know Jesus, are made clean.
Never again will the tiniest spot of corruption be allowed in Heaven. The yardstick we will be measured by is our righteousness, peace and love. And its not ours but its the righteousness of Jesus in us that will justify us. Jesus knows who are His and He will acknowledge us on the Day of Judgment.
Many people believe they are entitled to Heaven because they are good, humane people. They go to church regularly, or at least Christmas and Easter. They are not blackbirds, abusers of mankind or cheaters. They give to humanitarian causes and charities. Their one fault is that they are not born again of water and spirit, and have no relationship with Jesus.
John 3 v 3 - 5: "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
Jesus says if we are not born again, baptised in water and the Holy Spirit, we cannot enter into the kingdom of God. The Kingdom is here in your heart where you have continual access to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Those are the requirements and not everyone who says they are Christians has fulfilled them.
The true Church is the invisible body of Christ everywhere on Earth. It is a spiritual entity of many different people, different colours, different cultures, different customs. They are all born again saints. Saints are not made by people in ecclesiastical garments after one has died. Saints are those who have been forgiven their sins, who walk in the light, and follow the Lamb. They are washed in the Blood of Jesus and their names are in the Lamb's Book of Life. And they know these things.
Saints are not dead people you pray to when you need help. That is wrong and classed as spiritualism, an occult religion forbidden to Christians. So is every prayer to Mary. We can only pray to the Father in the name of Jesus for our needs to be met. We cannot send His angels to do things for us. We should not even ask Him to send angels to help us. Just let us make our needs known to Him and He will do what's best.
Traditional mainline churches are mostly spiritually dead. The have replaced vibrant moves of the Holy Spirit with pomp, ceremony and fancy robes. They have forsaken the simplicity of Christ for grandeur and opulence and will one terrible day face the consequences of missing the essence of the kingdom of God. I write this in the hope that some may read this blog and repent of their religiosity and become true members of His Body.
We must be at peace with one another and edify one another. Edify means to build up. So instead of tearing people down we must build them up in truth, peace, joy and love. Let us rather encourage those we esteem weaker than ourselves, and elevate rather than criticise them. Let us watch our tone of voice, too, that it does not convey hurtful inflections like sarcasm or spite. Those attitudes would not be welcome in the kingdom of God.
Philippians 2 v 2 - 4: "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
We must be humble, gentle and unselfish Christians, all equal members of One Body. God loves each part equally, and in the same live He has for His Son. For we are all members of His Son's body, and like a flock of birds that all move in symmetry and harmony, so must we. We are in one Spirit being led in peace, we must display our love for one another. We will be in this same situation in Heaven.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Your Kingdom will come in power and great glory and we must line up with it in Spirit and in truth. When we meet You we will be changed into the likeness of Jesus. Every part of us tissue perfect match. Let us practice the power of love, mercy and forgiveness here to experience Heaven on Earth till You come. In Jesus' name. Amen.
