Many people believe that the first time they will enter God’s Kingdom, will be when they pass from this earth.
For the purpose of illustration in this article, I would like to say that the Kingdom of God is here and now and among us (Luke 17:21). The Kingdom of Heaven on the other hand, will be our eternal resting place after we leave the earth – both however, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are one and the same.
Did you know that the Lord gives us an opportunity of entering His Kingdom here and now? Not only does He bless us with spiritual sight to become aware of His Kingdom, but He also gives us the power to enter – while we are still alive!
The Kingdom of God (or God’s government) is a separate system under which God does that which pleases Him. (Psa.135:6; 1.Tim.6:15). God himself will not reverse His own priciples (Is.40:8). Reason being, if He contradicts His word then the Evil One would have reason to question how and why He blesses people. We need to pray for revelation of this fact to gain meaningful change in our lives.
What are some of these principles that make up the Kingdom of God? Jesus shares in Matthew 5,6 and 7, some examples of the characteristics of those who abide in the Kingdom. We would do well to spend a bit of time in these chapters and allow the spirit of the Lord to minister to us. Jesus says this: “We know that …… is sin but I tell you that if you even think of these things you have committed the sin in your heart”. There are many such principles spoken of in the bible, and we need to ask God to reveal them to us, in order that we can start to practice them in our lives.
The first Psalm says that the result of practicing Godly principles in our lives, is blessing from God (here and now) (Ps.1:1-3). The book of Daniel tells us there will be rewards in the Kingdom of Heaven (after we leave this earth) (Dan 12:3).
Here and now as we are convicted of our wrongful ways, we call out to the Lord for help. As we do so from a genuine heart, God grants Salvation to us.
The first part (1) of our Salvation – called Justification – has been completed – that is: Jesus forgiving our sins and destroying our sinful nature when he died on the cross.
The third part (3) of our salvation – called Glorification – has been completed – that is: our Glorified body has been seated ‘in Christ’ at the right hand of the Father in Heavenly places (past tense) (Eph.2:6).
The second part (2) of our salvation – called Sanctification – is ongoing (although has been completed in Gods eyes). That is: We live our lives learning to practice Godly principles and as we do so, become more like the character God wants us to be.
As we daily become more like the character Gods wants of us, there will be reward for us in the Kingdom of Heaven (Dan.12:3). This reward will grow brighter and brighter as we move closer to God on our daily walk here, resulting in our Glorified bodies becoming brighter and brighter in the Kingdom of Heaven!
The practical outworking of this can be likened to a factory that purifies Gold. In section one of the factory, the Gold ore enters and begins its journey of purification. During it’s refining, the Gold ore experiences extreme temperatures before it can be made pure.
In the next and final section of the factory, is a huge cabinet where the purified Gold is on display in magnificent glory.
Our lives are exactly the same. We become aware of the Kingdom of God now – when we become born again. We enter the Kingdom of God now – when we become born of water and of the spirit (John 3:3-5). We are now in section one of the factory. Our daily struggles as we learn to practice Kingdom principles, is the refining process. In Romans, Paul reminds us that all these situations are working for our good – not some – but all (Rom.8:28).
As visitors travel through the refining section of factory, they are able to see the purified gold in the cabinet of section two. The gold in the cabinet is shining bright. Compare this to our walk with the Lord. As we walk in God’s principles, by faith, we can believe our Glorified bodies are going from brightness to brightness! (1 Cor. 15:40-44). What a glorious encouragement!
Let’s pray for revelation of this daily refining process in God’s ‘factory’, so that our lives on this earth will be more purposeful and driven to change.
Thanks for reading – may the Master bless you always.