MEMBERS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

The two groups that constitute the Kingdom of God have already been noted: the Indigenous Citizen and the Immigrant or Visitor. Both coexist within the Kingdom. Many people think only of religion when the Kingdom of God is discussed, yet it is far more than religion. It is a living reality in constant operation. Religion can even become one of Satan’s arrangements for directing worship toward God in his own way.

Jesus Christ, who instituted both the Kingdom of God and the Church, did not come to establish a religion. He taught that the Father is worshipped in Spirit and in Truth, at any place and at any time, and particularly where two or three are gathered in His name.
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:23-24 KJV
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” – Matthew 18:20 KJV

An Indigenous Citizen worships accordingly, from the heart, in line with the Lord’s teaching. An Immigrant or Visitor tends to worship outwardly, having a form of godliness while denying its power, acting with pretense rather than reality.

This outward focus persists because the heart is yet to be circumcised. The full work of the cross is not yet wrought within. Such a person has accepted the Lordship of Jesus Christ only in part. The Adamic nature, the old man, still shapes choices and patterns of life, making the daily mortification of the flesh difficult. By contrast, a true Citizen has crucified the flesh; the Adamic nature no longer rules his decisions and actions. He lives to please God rather than himself.

Immigrants or Visitors submit to the old man, the works of the flesh, as recorded in Scripture.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,” – Galatians 5:19-20 KJV
“Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” – Colossians 3:5 KJV

Citizens submit to the new man, the nature of Christ, which is righteousness, justice, mercy, faith, and holiness. Both may engage in religion, yet in very different ways. The Immigrant prizes ceremonies, programs, activities, and events, imagining that Christianity is a life of busyness without becoming Christlike. The Citizen believes God is worshipped in Spirit and in Truth anywhere, according to Scripture. He holds that Christianity is a life of becoming Christlike and also doing the works Jesus did, with the same heart.
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.” – John 4:23-24 KJV

• He allows the reign of Christ in his heart; he is Spirit filled and Spirit led always.
“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:21 KJV
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” – Romans 8:14 KJV

• He fears and loves God.

• He embraces holy living.
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:15-16 KJV

• He does not worship God on condition.

• He worships God in Spirit and in Truth.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24 KJV

• He loves to do the will of God at all times.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21 KJV

• He loves to know and learn the Word of God.
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” – Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV

• He loves to fellowship with God in prayer.
“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” – Mark 1:35 KJV

• He loves to fellowship with the saints.
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25 KJV

• He loves to share Jesus Christ with lost souls.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15 KJV

• He is Christlike in nature.
“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” – Acts 11:26 KJV

• He is heavenly conscious.
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:1-2 KJV

• He mortifies the flesh continually.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” – Colossians 3:9-10 KJV

• He acknowledges and judges sin daily.
“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” – 1 John 1:8 KJV

• He confesses sin moment by moment.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 KJV

• He takes up the cross daily.
“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23 KJV

• He reflects light, bears the fruit of the Spirit, and mirrors the image of the invisible God.

• He always has one reason or another to serve God.

• He does not reverence God; he withholds honor from God in time, substance, and life.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” – Matthew 15:8-9 KJV

• He does not fear God.

• He is complacent about the things of God.

• He is not committed to reading the Bible.

• He has a poor prayer life.

• He seeks praise and notice.
“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” – Matthew 6:5-6 KJV

• He delights in activities and events.
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues.” – Matthew 23:5-6 KJV

• He loves the world and invests in worldly pursuits; he is covetous.

• He is selfish and does not intercede.

• He lacks integrity and moral values. – Acts 5:1-10 KJV (Ananias and Sapphira)

• He does not conform to the life of Christ.

• He comes to the fellowship center to show off.
“Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.” – Matthew 6:1-2 KJV
“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.” – Matthew 23:5 KJV

• He attends fellowship to avoid persecution.

Dear reader, I urge you to examine yourself and discern where you stand in the Kingdom of God. God is no respecter of persons. Make amends where needed. May the Lord help you as you do so. Amen.

For more enquiries please contact: phone no 08033703716 or email oladipokolade5@gmail.com