Most Christians repent enough to get forgiven, but not enough to experience the Kingdom of God. Jesus made the Kingdom of God the theme of His ministry. The Jews wanted a messiah to lead a political and military movement that would overthrow the hated Romans and bring back the glory days of King David. Jesus fooled everyone by directing His vengeance less toward the enemies of Israel and more toward the enemies of man: sin, Satan, and self-righteousness.
Jesus began His public ministry by proclaiming, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; Mark 1:15. KJV). Jesus brought the Kingdom of God with Him. He embodied the message through His follow-up tag line: “Follow Me…” Jesus came as a king to rule over a kingdom; He modeled the Kingdom and demonstrated the Kingdom.
Repentance means a change of mind; a new way of thinking. It means you change your current way of thinking. It’s only as we change our thinking that we experience the Kingdom of God. It’s the starting point. You can’t understand the significance and breakthrough power of the Kingdom of God without thinking differently.
Look at the word kingdom—king-dom, “the king’s domain,” implying authority, lordship and rule. Jesus came to show us the benefits of His reign and rule of His world within our world. Jesus brought His world into our world to, “destroy the works of the devil.” (1 John 3:8, KJV). Jesus brought His Kingdom presence into our earthly culture, “the Kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17, KJV). It’s a new way of looking at Christianity. It’s a new way of thinking about your life.
A Kingdom of God revolution is the breaking in of heaven into earth—in our hearts, in our families, in our churches and in our cities. It is bringing the values and culture of heaven into our jobs, our relationships and our ways of thinking. Join the revolution.
Growing as a Revolutionary,
Steve
Steve Holt M.A., D.D.
My newest book, Worshipper Warrior, can be found at www.steveholtonline.org
and www.amazon.com
