Jesus the Christ prayed to the Heavenly Father:
…I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth. (Jn. 17:15-17)
The concept, “In but not OF the world” is widely known, in theory by Christians, but rarely pondered from the lens of the absoluteness of what Christ desires. The kind of fruit, value or contribution we bring to this life is of great importance. The question is, what is our source? We are dealing with two contrary kingdoms with distinctly different motives, cultures, economy/“business practice,” and law (rule of action). These kingdoms are in constant conflict vying for the souls of men.
The kingdoms of this world are under the sway of the evil one. (1 Jn. 5:19) Their systems, at large, operate under the law of sin and the sons of disobedience are subjugated to an invisible influence of their father the devil. Rulers take advantage of the weaknesses of their citizens snared by unrighteousness to feed their own lusts. This is done craftily by promised benefits, position, and power but it is always with a hook. Pride, greed, and fear open gaping doors for oppression by these anti-Christ “systems.” Their goal is to establish a global feudal system with the culture of death. A dystopian society motivated by eugenics and transhumanism (For more facts do your research). Scripture warns, …bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. (Rom. 7:23) In other words, the enemy influences, and even controls the ones in bondage to the law of sin. They are slaves, doing the bidding of the evil one, knowingly or unknowingly. The sin of pride-filled ego is satan’s meat that he feasts on to gain control over the soul. Remember, the enemy has no power over us but that which we give him by consent.
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. (Col. 1:13-14)
This leads to the other kingdom.
The Kingdom of God, ruled by the King of kings, Yeshua. His government operates by the supreme law of love. By His grace the citizens possess the culture of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Scripture says: . . . I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.(Jer. 31:33) When we are born again we have access to become citizens of another jurisdiction, a holy nation within nations, the Kingdom of God. YAHWEH writes His law on our new heart. We are no longer the OLD self in bondage to the law of sin. By faith, we are growing as the NEW MAN with a new spirit walking in sonship. We mature as we are partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet. 1:4). When we live the reality of the Kingdom detestable things become less and less desirous. It’s about conformity to Christ and enjoying relationships with brothers and sisters in His Kingdom.
And they shall come thither, and they shall take away all the detestable things thereof and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh. (Eze. 11:18-19)
A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. (Eze. 36:26-27)
Everyone has the choice of what Master they serve, what laws they obey, and what nature they live from–carnal or newness of life? Every day our decisions will produce life or death, we will reap what we sow. May we choose to sow life in word and deed.
Give yourself some time to pray and meditate on these passages honestly before the Lord:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2 Pet. 1:3-11)
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Gal. 6:7-9)
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Gal. 5:15-25)
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 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, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Rom. 8:5-8)
Based on the above scripture, we either reap life and peace, the attributes of the Kingdom of Heaven or destruction and death, the attributes of the kingdom of satan. Choose Christ and embrace life. By His grace live after His heart–boldly. Full surrender. Make the daily choice to submit to God, resist the devil and he must flee.
The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not . . . (2 Cor. 4:4) We need to take caution and . . . walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, (Eph. 5:4) so we are not influenced by the same god of this world that blinds the minds of unbelievers. We must resist temptation and embrace purity.
Scripture further says,
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened . . . Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful.” (Rom. 1:20-21, 24-31)
God gave them over to a reprobate mind. If we make provision for, and continue in sin, we are flirting with fire. Our conscience can become seared and we run the risk of a reprobate mind. To avoid being blind-sided, we need to humbly allow Light to penetrate our souls and embrace the revelation of God’s grace. To win daily in this ancient struggle it is imperative to possess the mindset of the Kingdom and be governed by the indwelling Spirit.
Warning: do not be snared of wicked men, worldly business enterprises, evil governments, and false religious systems that are blinded and controlled by the prince of the power of the air. (Eph. 2:2) You know a tree by its fruit. (Matt. 12:33) They will bear the fruit of their father, the devil and serve him. But those that are the possession of Christ will bear the fruit of the kingdom and serve Him.
Without condemnation, yet in honesty ask yourself: WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF MY LIFE? This is the question posed to help us determine what kingdom has the greater sway in our lives. Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. Selah.
