Keep growing in the knowledge of the Kingdom
I often point out the difference between Kingdom and religion because there is so much for us to learn. Even though I have been learning and studying the Kingdom approach for years, I am still a student of it.
Where does this Kingdom approach come from?
The main scripture to understanding the Kingdom is Colossians 1:13. The Amplified Version says “For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption because of His sacrifice, resulting in the forgiveness of our sins and the cancellation of sins’ penalty.”
Before the cross, the Old Testament or Old Covenant was in place. The redemption of sins was only temporary. Sacrifices had to be repeated over and over again which only covered the sins for one year. After the cross, the New Testament or New Covenant began and we no longer need to fulfill the law. Jesus became the final sacrifice which fulfilled the law for us.
What does it mean?
The Kingdom is a finished work. God has already redeemed us through the blood of Jesus. We are saved by grace from the penalty of death for sin. Our sin is cleansed and completely and permanently removed, not covered. 2 Corinthians 5:19 NLT For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation..
The first step is realizing that being in the Kingdom is a game changer. Understanding the Kingdom means you know that Jesus came to fulfill the law because the law could not save man or deliver him from his sins. Delivered by Jesus from our sins, we can no longer earn the blessings of forgiveness and redemption. Jesus became the curse so we can receive the blessing. He was sacrificed so that we can receive salvation.
The word salvation means delivered, free, healed, made right with God, forgiven, and sanctified. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 AMP. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation, and righteousness making us acceptable to God, and sanctification making us holy and setting us apart for God, and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin, so then, as it is written in Scripture, “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord.”
Life changing freedom!
Being born from above is our entrance into the Kingdom. This means we can have a relationship with Jesus free of laws and rituals. His unconditional love for us caused Him to endure the cross on our behalf. It is a free gift we can never earn or repay. Now our part is to simply accept it and be grateful for it.
If we could earn the approval of God, we would try to glory in our own works. Jesus has freely given us all things that we need for godliness and life. 2 Peter 1:3 says “as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” The key to that verse is knowledge.
Don’t try to earn what was already paid for!
Trying to earn your way into heaven is natural if you don’t have knowledge of Jesus. Knowing the Savior is vital because without it you will try to earn what was already bought with the blood of Jesus. Religion tries to earn what Jesus already paid for. Talk about spinning your wheels! That’s why I talk about this so much.
The truth is I need to be reminded and continue to renew my mind about this as well. I am guilty many times of trying to work things out on my own, instead of receiving the finished work of my salvation. I’m grateful that the Holy Spirit regularly reminds me that I am not living under the law. You and I have been translated into the Kingdom of the Son as it says in Colossians.
Understanding the difference between Kingdom and religion is key to walking in victory! In closing, I know this explanation is only the tip of the iceberg. However, we have much more for you. Taking our online courses (at Be the Word Kingdom Academy https://btgacademy.thinkific.com/ ), attending our events, reading our blogs, watching our Bible studies on Facebook or YouTube, are just a few of the ways we would love to help you live in victory.
Where to find more
Bible Study happens every Tuesday Live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1btg3/ at 10:30 AM and 7PM EST.
Watch us on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/@dr.johnnieblount4143