Citizenship in the kingdom

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Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#1
So to start this off something to know about me is I am very patriotic every time I walk by a flag I think about the cost that was paid for it the lives that was lost for it the grusome blood that was shed the weeping mothers and fathers that lost their children due to the war for the freedoms we take for granted today I cannot help but take a moment to be still and show respect for that flag. I am a citexen of the united states of america and as such I have God given rights granted to me no questions asks I don't have to ask for them or request them they are entitled to me. Many here as I am sure you all have seen seem to have forgotten how good we have it and how much we have been given some even have the nerve to call the glag racist and I could easily if I allowed myself go on a huge infuriated angry rant making a huge thread with many choice words regarding these things but I have to restrain myself and just remember sometimes you just can't reason with stupid.

But aside from that as I was once again remembering these things and the rights I have as a citizen of the united states it made me think of the rights I have as a citizen of the kingdom. God has been slowly leading me down the path of faith into deeper waters than I have ever traversed into waters where one day I will see miracles right before my eyes to where I will see amazing works things few believe in any more.
However I have one major flaw that I have always struggled with I have an identity crises I have always had a low view of myself I never saw myself in a good light the scriptures say we are made kings and queens that we are clothed in righteousness made pure clean and spotless in his eyes but it has always been very difficult for me to see it that way for myself.

But I was wondering if I saw myself truly saw myself as a citizen of his kingdom as an heir of his kingdom then what door wouldn't be opened for me? if we really are heirs what rights and inheritance do we have in Christ? these are things I have been wondering lately.
 

Journeyman

Well-known member
Jan 10, 2019
2,107
763
113
#2
My view as a citizen of the USA has completely changed because of my citizenship in Gods' kingdom. The earth belongs to our heavenly Father and he shares it with all humans and desires us to also.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#3
But I was wondering if I saw myself truly saw myself as a citizen of his kingdom as an heir of his kingdom then what door wouldn't be opened for me? if we really are heirs what rights and inheritance do we have in Christ? these are things I have been wondering lately.
Matthew tells us in two scriptures that Christ was sent to us to give us a message about living in the kingdom of heaven. Christ preached: Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

We are told that we are to live in the kingdom of the world as a stranger. All kingdoms have laws that govern them, and we are to obey the laws of the world as a stranger, but the laws of our home kingdom are the laws that govern the kingdom of heaven and if the laws conflict we are to obey the laws of our home kingdom.

It is good to remember that Jamestown, run by the world perished but Plymouth, run by the kingdom of heaven prospered when America started. The is less and less of God's ways influencing the American government.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,708
6,893
113
#4
But I was wondering if I saw myself truly saw myself as a citizen of his kingdom as an heir of his kingdom then what door wouldn't be opened for me? if we really are heirs what rights and inheritance do we have in Christ? these are things I have been wondering lately.
As "joint heirs" to the Promise; we have ALL the rights of the Son of the Greatest King! Our every desire will be granted........although, we may well end up JUST desiring to praise and worship Him!

:)
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,708
6,893
113
#5
On another note..........NEVER think poorly of yourself, or put yourself down!

Why?

There are a whole bunch of people in this world who stand ready to do that for you. Hold yourself up straight! Remember that you are NOW an heir to the Promise, and have been cleansed by the precious blood of Jesus, and made worthy to be called a son of the Living God! As well, remember this:

1 Peter, Chapter 2:

9) But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

What the precious blood of Jesus has cleansed is worthy! WORTHY!
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,377
3,167
113
#6
So to start this off something to know about me is I am very patriotic every time I walk by a flag I think about the cost that was paid for it the lives that was lost for it the grusome blood that was shed the weeping mothers and fathers that lost their children due to the war for the freedoms we take for granted today I cannot help but take a moment to be still and show respect for that flag. I am a citexen of the united states of america and as such I have God given rights granted to me no questions asks I don't have to ask for them or request them they are entitled to me. Many here as I am sure you all have seen seem to have forgotten how good we have it and how much we have been given some even have the nerve to call the glag racist and I could easily if I allowed myself go on a huge infuriated angry rant making a huge thread with many choice words regarding these things but I have to restrain myself and just remember sometimes you just can't reason with stupid.

But aside from that as I was once again remembering these things and the rights I have as a citizen of the united states it made me think of the rights I have as a citizen of the kingdom. God has been slowly leading me down the path of faith into deeper waters than I have ever traversed into waters where one day I will see miracles right before my eyes to where I will see amazing works things few believe in any more.
However I have one major flaw that I have always struggled with I have an identity crises I have always had a low view of myself I never saw myself in a good light the scriptures say we are made kings and queens that we are clothed in righteousness made pure clean and spotless in his eyes but it has always been very difficult for me to see it that way for myself.

But I was wondering if I saw myself truly saw myself as a citizen of his kingdom as an heir of his kingdom then what door wouldn't be opened for me? if we really are heirs what rights and inheritance do we have in Christ? these are things I have been wondering lately.
First and foremost, you have to realise that you don't matter anymore. The old you, that is. You are dead. Who expects anything from a dead person? "How come he didn't come to work today?" "He died". "That's no excuse!" You will never hear that.

God sees sinners as so flawed and beyond repair that He refuses to try and fix us. Instead, He crucifies us, including us in the death of Christ. But that only solves part of the problem. It deals with the negative. So God raises us up to new life, again, in Christ. God gives us a new spirit, resurrection life that only Christ can give.

If we are willing to turn away from the old and live in the new, our lives will be transformed. The problem is that most are addicted to self. Self dwells in the soul and is desperate to stay alive. It will promise us the earth as long as it can remain alive. God's love will allow us to fail until we give up on self. Romans 7 is Paul's battle with this issue. Because he is born again, he knows what he should be and he wants to live righteously. Yet he cannot. And that is how God has ordained it.

The answer is not "Try harder". All that does is make us fail more spectacularly and heap more condemnation on us. No, Paul found the secret: "Thanks be to God, through Christ". When we see that Galatians 2:20 means exactly what it says, our lives will be transformed. We can relax and rest in Jesus, letting Him take care of us, empowering us, leading us and teaching us. He should be the causing factor in our lives, and He will be if we learn to cooperate with Him.

I used to travel for work. I had a car supplied, air airfares booked and paid for, likewise hotel accommodation. If I needed anything to do with work, it was paid for. It was different when I retired. I made all the arrangements myself. I had to pay for airport car parking, hotels and suchlike. When we are working for the Kingdom of God, Lord Jesus will ensure that we have every need met. I trusted my company to arrange my work trips. How much more can I trust the Lord Jesus with what I need to serve Him in kingdom work?
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#7
First and foremost, you have to realise that you don't matter anymore. The old you, that is. You are dead. Who expects anything from a dead person? "How come he didn't come to work today?" "He died". "That's no excuse!" You will never hear that.

God sees sinners as so flawed and beyond repair that He refuses to try and fix us. Instead, He crucifies us, including us in the death of Christ. But that only solves part of the problem. It deals with the negative. So God raises us up to new life, again, in Christ. God gives us a new spirit, resurrection life that only Christ can give.

If we are willing to turn away from the old and live in the new, our lives will be transformed. The problem is that most are addicted to self. Self dwells in the soul and is desperate to stay alive. It will promise us the earth as long as it can remain alive. God's love will allow us to fail until we give up on self. Romans 7 is Paul's battle with this issue. Because he is born again, he knows what he should be and he wants to live righteously. Yet he cannot. And that is how God has ordained it.

The answer is not "Try harder". All that does is make us fail more spectacularly and heap more condemnation on us. No, Paul found the secret: "Thanks be to God, through Christ". When we see that Galatians 2:20 means exactly what it says, our lives will be transformed. We can relax and rest in Jesus, letting Him take care of us, empowering us, leading us and teaching us. He should be the causing factor in our lives, and He will be if we learn to cooperate with Him.

I used to travel for work. I had a car supplied, air airfares booked and paid for, likewise hotel accommodation. If I needed anything to do with work, it was paid for. It was different when I retired. I made all the arrangements myself. I had to pay for airport car parking, hotels and suchlike. When we are working for the Kingdom of God, Lord Jesus will ensure that we have every need met. I trusted my company to arrange my work trips. How much more can I trust the Lord Jesus with what I need to serve Him in kingdom work?
When we decide to make the kingdom of heaven our true home instead of the kingdom of the world, our entire value system changes. Before, our values were in houses, clothes, cars, and successful living, now our values are God's values. The laws that run the kingdom of heaven are told to us in scripture. The sermon on the mount is now like the constitution of the earthly government. We no longer work for temporary earthly pleasures, we instead glory in the joy and peace that our new kingdom offers us.

It is as simple and as profound as trading the tickets to the best seats at an exciting championship game for an eternal life with God.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#8
Thank you everyone for all your responses they were all very appreciated. I think God has been trying to lead me into a new kind of thinking and a new way of viewing myself. You see in my journey into deeper waters of faith I once said what if I had this faith all along the only person holding me back was myself? I said it on a whim but sometimes I will prophesy my own demise or my own situations and I feel like that is the situation here as well. In my journy of faith my prayers have never seemed to have any power very rarely are they ever answered sometimes I will even beg or try to bargain with him,

I have always believed in miracles believed in the power a single prayer can have and believed in his power for one who has faith without ever really seeing it for myself but God has been leading me to seek this level of faith to see exactly what faith can do to see his hand move in ways we never see these days and I wondered if maybe I just didn't have the level of faith required but an inner voice keeps telling me it isn't the level of faith I am missing it is the identity.

As a citizen of his kingdom as a child of God I have a certain level of authority and privilege A certain degree of royalty, I always came to him from the state of a begger or a lowly person with no power at all but this perhaps is why I never felt there was any power in my prayers or why I always believed but never saw that faith come to fruition because I wasn't coming from a position of power and royalty but the postion of a begger and a lowly person. Of course I am a slow learner so if I am right it may take some time for this to actually sink in but hopefully if I am right about this God knows my heart and knows how to teach me so maybe he is already at work on it.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#9
Thank you everyone for all your responses they were all very appreciated. I think God has been trying to lead me into a new kind of thinking and a new way of viewing myself. You see in my journey into deeper waters of faith I once said what if I had this faith all along the only person holding me back was myself? I said it on a whim but sometimes I will prophesy my own demise or my own situations and I feel like that is the situation here as well. In my journy of faith my prayers have never seemed to have any power very rarely are they ever answered sometimes I will even beg or try to bargain with him,

I have always believed in miracles believed in the power a single prayer can have and believed in his power for one who has faith without ever really seeing it for myself but God has been leading me to seek this level of faith to see exactly what faith can do to see his hand move in ways we never see these days and I wondered if maybe I just didn't have the level of faith required but an inner voice keeps telling me it isn't the level of faith I am missing it is the identity.

As a citizen of his kingdom as a child of God I have a certain level of authority and privilege A certain degree of royalty, I always came to him from the state of a begger or a lowly person with no power at all but this perhaps is why I never felt there was any power in my prayers or why I always believed but never saw that faith come to fruition because I wasn't coming from a position of power and royalty but the postion of a begger and a lowly person. Of course I am a slow learner so if I am right it may take some time for this to actually sink in but hopefully if I am right about this God knows my heart and knows how to teach me so maybe he is already at work on it.
You're doing just fine. Reflect on the Holy Word . . . Endure. We are to Endure (suffer) for a reason. This is a life reserved for those who the Lord loves. So, if you can view yourself through the Holy Word, Endure, perhaps you might see yourself as the "lucky one" who has been gifted the ability to suffer for Him.

Philippians 1:29 NKJV - "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"

To rationalize this life according to the thoughts of "men" will only bring us to confusion. We've got to see this life through the Eyes of the Lord. To do this, we must view this life according to the Spiritual Realm.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#10
You're doing just fine. Reflect on the Holy Word . . . Endure. We are to Endure (suffer) for a reason. This is a life reserved for those who the Lord loves. So, if you can view yourself through the Holy Word, Endure, perhaps you might see yourself as the "lucky one" who has been gifted the ability to suffer for Him.

Philippians 1:29 NKJV - "For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,"

To rationalize this life according to the thoughts of "men" will only bring us to confusion. We've got to see this life through the Eyes of the Lord. To do this, we must view this life according to the Spiritual Realm.
Well I have certainly suffered it's uncanny how life seems to have an unfair agenda against me like life itself just has a nonstop working against me but at this point I expect it and while I have my weak times just push through.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#11
Well I have certainly suffered it's uncanny how life seems to have an unfair agenda against me like life itself just has a nonstop working against me but at this point I expect it and while I have my weak times just push through.
Changing kingdoms that is our home kingdom is not easy. We are taught the world's ways through the media and our flesh every hour of the day. How many times I have spent hours thinking of what I should have said to beat someone in an argument, living the way of the world!! To change that to thinking of ways to be their friend and do them good makes it an entirely new ball game. It take lots of learning the ways of the kingdom, and then changing to the kingdom's ways is a very difficult task that can only be done through knowing the God within us is more important than all we have learned of the world.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#12
Changing kingdoms that is our home kingdom is not easy. We are taught the world's ways through the media and our flesh every hour of the day. How many times I have spent hours thinking of what I should have said to beat someone in an argument, living the way of the world!! To change that to thinking of ways to be their friend and do them good makes it an entirely new ball game. It take lots of learning the ways of the kingdom, and then changing to the kingdom's ways is a very difficult task that can only be done through knowing the God within us is more important than all we have learned of the world.
Yes it is very easy to fall prey to that sort of thinking living according to the spirit is a constant practice and requires us to always stay alert but at the same time sometimes we try to hard and forget to just simply enjoy being with him at times it is easier to live in the spirit by simply living in his love rather than concering ourselves with whether we are living according to the world or not.
After all love fulfills the law
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#13
Well I have certainly suffered it's uncanny how life seems to have an unfair agenda against me like life itself just has a nonstop working against me but at this point I expect it and while I have my weak times just push through.
My dear friend, your life is being "Controlled by the Spirit."

Romans 8:9 NLT - "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)"

The NLT is the only translation that words verse 9 this way, and I was told that that word was "all that was left" so as to protect against copyright violations. And while that's an interesting idea, I use about 14 different translations and many of them use the exact same phrasings.

Sir, unless there are things that I do not know about you, your life definitely is not your own. You have been bought and purchased by Christ.

HNV - ". . . in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation, -- in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Ruach HaKodesh of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory."

Never give up!
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#14
Yes it is very easy to fall prey to that sort of thinking living according to the spirit is a constant practice and requires us to always stay alert but at the same time sometimes we try to hard and forget to just simply enjoy being with him at times it is easier to live in the spirit by simply living in his love rather than concering ourselves with whether we are living according to the world or not.
After all love fulfills the law
And such joy as there is in His kingdom!! It is the difference between running the rapids and resting in deep still waters.
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#15
My dear friend, your life is being "Controlled by the Spirit."

Romans 8:9 NLT - "But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)"

The NLT is the only translation that words verse 9 this way, and I was told that that word was "all that was left" so as to protect against copyright violations. And while that's an interesting idea, I use about 14 different translations and many of them use the exact same phrasings.

Sir, unless there are things that I do not know about you, your life definitely is not your own. You have been bought and purchased by Christ.

HNV - ". . . in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation, -- in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Ruach HaKodesh of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory."

Never give up!
I can certainly say my life is not my own whether good or bad I never hava a say in anything in my life being in a facility leaves little room for free will and when the enemy attacks it isn't like I have a say how often he does it as he does it more and more lately but while all this may be true and while I at times feel like a caged bird I cannot help but feel a warmth in my heart when I think of Jesus even though I am always at odds with the enemy my heart just melts when I think of being with him and it doesn't matter how hard life throws those curve balls if at the end of the day I can lay in bed and just enjoy my time being with him.

So right now things are hard and it is hard to see where this is all going if it's going at all but I treasure the moments where he and I find that special intimate place together.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#16
I can certainly say my life is not my own whether good or bad I never hava a say in anything in my life being in a facility leaves little room for free will and when the enemy attacks it isn't like I have a say how often he does it as he does it more and more lately but while all this may be true and while I at times feel like a caged bird I cannot help but feel a warmth in my heart when I think of Jesus even though I am always at odds with the enemy my heart just melts when I think of being with him and it doesn't matter how hard life throws those curve balls if at the end of the day I can lay in bed and just enjoy my time being with him.

So right now things are hard and it is hard to see where this is all going if it's going at all but I treasure the moments where he and I find that special intimate place together.
Hang in there. As you know, this physical life will be over before you know it and we will be free of this Satanic world, only to dwell within the Right Hand of Salvation. You [WILL] be freed.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,895
3,634
113
#17
So to start this off something to know about me is I am very patriotic every time I walk by a flag I think about the cost that was paid for it the lives that was lost for it the grusome blood that was shed the weeping mothers and fathers that lost their children due to the war for the freedoms we take for granted today I cannot help but take a moment to be still and show respect for that flag. I am a citexen of the united states of america and as such I have God given rights granted to me no questions asks I don't have to ask for them or request them they are entitled to me. Many here as I am sure you all have seen seem to have forgotten how good we have it and how much we have been given some even have the nerve to call the glag racist and I could easily if I allowed myself go on a huge infuriated angry rant making a huge thread with many choice words regarding these things but I have to restrain myself and just remember sometimes you just can't reason with stupid.

But aside from that as I was once again remembering these things and the rights I have as a citizen of the united states it made me think of the rights I have as a citizen of the kingdom. God has been slowly leading me down the path of faith into deeper waters than I have ever traversed into waters where one day I will see miracles right before my eyes to where I will see amazing works things few believe in any more.
However I have one major flaw that I have always struggled with I have an identity crises I have always had a low view of myself I never saw myself in a good light the scriptures say we are made kings and queens that we are clothed in righteousness made pure clean and spotless in his eyes but it has always been very difficult for me to see it that way for myself.

But I was wondering if I saw myself truly saw myself as a citizen of his kingdom as an heir of his kingdom then what door wouldn't be opened for me? if we really are heirs what rights and inheritance do we have in Christ? these are things I have been wondering lately.
Hello @Blain :love:

I really like how Derek Prince explained our worth and value….

Market value is how much someone is willing to pay for something. Even if it only cost $2 to make a gadget yet, someone is willing to pay $200 for the gadget then, the value and worth of the gadget is $200.

If a gadget cost $200 to make it yet, people will only buy it for $2 then, the gadget is only worth $2.

So, it’s NOT about the gadget at all! It’s about how much someone is willing to buy it for - that determines the gadget’s worth.

God’s mind and heart has looked at you, greatly desired you and determined that you are valued and worthy of the highest price…God has paid for you with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

You are loved, valued, and worthy! :love:(y)
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
5,883
1,954
113
#18
Hello @Blain :love:

I really like how Derek Prince explained our worth and value….

Market value is how much someone is willing to pay for something. Even if it only cost $2 to make a gadget yet, someone is willing to pay $200 for the gadget then, the value and worth of the gadget is $200.

If a gadget cost $200 to make it yet, people will only buy it for $2 then, the gadget is only worth $2.

So, it’s NOT about the gadget at all! It’s about how much someone is willing to buy it for - that determines the gadget’s worth.

God’s mind and heart has looked at you, greatly desired you and determined that you are valued and worthy of the highest price…God has paid for you with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

You are loved, valued, and worthy! :love:(y)
Helllo! And, thank you! This is how I like to see us talk to each other, here.;)