We have a dilemma, among our Christian circles, where many say they are alive, but have not yet taken their first breath in the Kingdom of God.  This is not a small thing but a state of emergency because this kind of (false) gospel is based on what we think and feel about Jesus, rather than the truth.  

The truth is, we can be deeply sincere in our love and commitment to the Lord, but that is not how we experience the Kingdom of God.  Having strong values, morals, and discipline will not.   Knowing the scriptures like a scholar will not.  Loving our neighbor will not. 

The consensus is that when we have a group of (sincere) believers in Christ gathered together, the majority does not experience Kingdom life with the Lord.   

Some will say they do, but does that make it true? 

What does Kingdom life look like? 

The Kingdom of God is within us.  It is where we seek and obtain our supply.  We do not look to others, or seek formulas, the latest Christian trend or prophetic word, or charismatic speakers, or the latest best authors.  Does Kingdom life mean our life is free of pain, sorrow, and difficulties? NO.

We can be babes or seasoned and mature in the faith, and both have vital life in the Kingdom.  We are inspired by the Holy Spirit to do what the word and commands are.  We are led by the Holy Spirit into all truth.  We are being freed from the need to please others, or from the fear of being rejected, because we are accepted in the beloved, and this is what matters to us.  We love the truth and celebrate in finding it with others, no matter if it makes us uncomfortable.  We have reservoirs of living water in us, and the more we eat of the Word, the more we have to offer others this living water.   Our joy is to meet with others who are also of the Kingdom, so we may enjoy fellowship in Christ.  This is not to be mixed up with what most Christian circles call and practice fellowship.  The kind of fellowship found in the Kingdom is intrinsically woven in us, that seeks to fellowship with Christ – in each other and is spiritual.  The majority of fellowship practiced today is of a social kind that does not enjoy to go into the deep things of Christ. Which is about His Gospel that goes beyond a belief and becomes our experience.

We have habits within our Christian circles to go out and find those who are (more) spiritual, and exhibit ‘signs’ that the Holy Spirit is working in them, so they can speak, teach, or minister to us.  There are books, events, and entire churches that create this atmosphere of seeking outward to find the manifestation of Jesus. The Kingdom of God is not for the elites to distribute to us; it is available to the lowly child. 

So how is it that the majority of Christ believers have not experienced the Kingdom of God? 

Some would say that when we are born again, we will experience the Kingdom of God.  But is that true?  What did Jesus tell Nicodemus?

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jesus does not say we will immediately experience the Kingdom when we are born again. He says that the new birth opens our eyes and understanding that it exists. New birth grants us access to the Kingdom, but not automatic entry. This is key to why we have epidemic proportions of believers yet outside of the Kingdom of God, because of the false assumption that when we are born again, we will automatically experience the Kingdom of God. And sadly, some fall back into their old lives because of this.

Paul has given us the reason for this epidemic, plain for us to see in Romans 8.  When we are born again, we are awakened to the battle between our flesh and carnal minds and the Spirit of God.  If we have no understanding of this, we have most likely not experienced a new birth.  In this battle, we contend as citizens of the Kingdom of God, which requires us to keep our flesh/carnal man under the rule of the Word of God.   This is a daily discipline.  What if we don’t know the Word of God yet?  The Word, who is Jesus, comes inside of us. He gives us the desire to get into the Word. We are inspired to read, learn, and study it to obey it.  There is a serious lack that adds to this epidemic, and that is the failure to assume the responsibility to make disciples, and so we have a mass of perpetual babes among us.  O that we would take our place (as mentors) and go out and make disciples for the Kingdom of God! It is not hard to find the babes, they are everywhere within our churches!

Forbidden Access

The flesh and carnal mind are at enmity with the Lord and have forbidden access in the Kingdom of God.

If we are practicing a Christianity that has no concept of the battle of flesh and Spirit, we are most probably practicing a Christianity that is of the religious flesh, and sadly, what the majority practices today and what the Pharisees and Sadducees practiced in the day of their visitation, to which they did not even recognize the long-awaited Messiah!  Why?  Because they were willfully walking in their flesh and carnal minds!   How many of us have had Jesus the Messiah speak truth and not recognize, even to call it evil, just like they did!  

When we walk willfully, according to our emotions, feelings, and carnal mind and understanding, we will not know, let alone enjoy, Kingdom life and true fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Benefits of Kingdom Living

There are benefits beyond this world for us in the Kingdom of God! In the Kingdom, there is the secret place of the Most High God, where we also dwell!  Psalm 91.  In the Kingdom is where we are suited up in the armor of God!  Ephes 6:10-18.  Many ‘religiously’ recite Psalm 91 and Eph 6, the armor of God verses, and many others – as if this is how they obtain and apply the promises in them.  This is false teaching.  We don’t get anything when we recite the word of God.  We get all things that pertain to life and godliness through belief in Jesus Christ, who dwells in the Kingdom of God, where He sits at the right hand of the Father.  1 Pet 1:2-4, Col 3. In the Kingdom of God, we know the Lord, and He knows us! Not only this, we are one with Him! John 17:20-26. In this place, we will experience the peace of God and joy, no matter what we go through in our lives.

If you have not yet experienced the Kingdom of God, let it become your priority today!  Remember, the Lord has made it simple so that even a little child can obtain access and entry.   May the Lord bless all who seek today, the Kingdom of God!  Amen!

For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matt 6:32-34

Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Romans 14:16-18

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” Mark 10:13-15

But you do not have His word abiding in you, because whom He sent, Him you do not believe. You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life. John 5:38-40

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matt 19:23-24

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:6-8 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be