Kingdom Life
16/04/2010 by Jim Stephens
Reference(s): Matthew 3:11 MSG
John
said, “I’m baptizing you here in the river, turning your old life in for a
kingdom life. The real action comes next: The main character in this
drama—compared to him I’m a mere stagehand—will ignite the kingdom life within
you, a fire within you, the Holy Spirit within you, changing you from the
inside out.” (Matthew
The
Jews were expecting that some day the promised Messiah would come and declare
himself the King of Israel – he would restore the kingdom as in the glorious
days of David and Solomon.
What
they didn’t expect was that the Messiah would establish his kingdom in the
hearts and lives of those who believed in him, Jews and non-Jews alike. They didn’t expect that anyone who believed
this Good News Message could exchange their old life of slavery to sin for a
new life of freedom in faith.
John’s
message was that the King is here and we can have the kingdom life now! Later, Jesus himself said, 20 “The
When
we live the
I
know it means my ego self has to stop getting his way and running things. I know that my spirit self, the new me in
Christ, must grow up, stand up, and represent me in life’s daily actions and
interactions. I know it means acting on
what I believe, honestly facing the things that need to change, and submitting
obediently to his Holy Spirit direction.
I want it anyway! How about you?
Prayer:
Father, I believe Jesus is the Messiah
you sent into the world to ignite the kingdom life in us from the inside
out. Lord Jesus, I submit to your kingly
authority in my life and I affirm my desire and commitment to grow and change
as you desire to change me. Holy Spirit,
please teach me to listen and respond to your instruction and promptings. Please ignite the kingdom life in me and
change me from the inside out. May it be
so.
