This is only possible as we “abide in Christ” (John 15), depending upon God’s power and grace, as we “walk in the Spirit” and continually live in His fullness (Rom. 8; Eph. 5:16-18). Of course, the entry point to such “restored dominion” is grounded in the Cross, where Jesus broke the curse that not only separated us from God, but which also deprived us of God’s high intention for His beloved creature, man. But now, Jesus’ death and resurrection have provided the primary instruments acquiring the possibility of a renewable humankind.
When ordinary people like you and I receive forgiveness of sins and are born again, open access to “see” and “enter” the Kingdom of God is established within (John 3:3, 5)—a miracle of divine grace, given alone through faith in Christ and secured through His Cross. The Bible never suggests either (1) that there exists in man a divine spark, which may be fanned to flame by noble human efforts, or (2) that godlikeness is somehow resident in man’s potential, as though human beings are or may become “gods.” To the contrary, man is lost in darkness and alienated from God (Eph. 4:18; 2:12); however, the “good news” of the Gospel is this: A full reconciliation (return to the Father) and restoration (return to partnership with Him) are now possible. We not only “step into the Kingdom,” but also the Holy Spirit enables incarnation of “The Kingdom “in us.
Character and the Kingdom
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1-7:27), Jesus outlines the primary attributes of people who receive the rule of the Kingdom He brings. Nine direct references to “the kingdom” are in this sermon, calling for: humility (5:3), willingness to suffer persecution (5:10), earnest attention to God’s commandments (5:19), refusal to substitute false piety for genuinely right behavior (5:20), a life of prayer (6:10, 13), prioritizing spiritual over material values (6:33), and above all, acknowledging Christ’s lordship by obeying the revealed will of God (7:21).
Clearly, the authority Christ hopes to delegate to His own is intended to be exercised by disciples willing to accept renewal in soul and behavior, as well as rebirth through forgiveness of sin. To these, obviously, the call to “Kingdom” living and ministry includes the expectation that Holy Spirit-begotten fruit and gifts will develop in the believer. The same Spirit that distributes gifts of power for Kingdom service also works in us to beget kingly qualities of life, love and a holy character (John 15:1-17; Gal. 5:22-23).
Kingdom of God is at hand – Receiving Kingdom Power
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
