Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Kingdom Living

According to the Bible, two Kingdoms exist in the world in which we live, move and have our being. The Bible says that one Kingdom is perishing; and one Kingdom is imperishable. The perishing one is where you and I live and die, thus everything in it perishes. The imperishable Kingdom is called the Kingdom of Heaven (or God). That is where God is sovereign and eternal, thus imperishable. An imperishable Kingdom is much more real and relevant than a Kingdom that is perishing.

So,  let's examine one example of the two Kingdoms, (there are many) from the Bible of this idea.

This is from the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians church. 

                         Perishing                                                                  Imperishable               

Called the "Course of this World."                            Called the "Heavenly places." (Ephesians 2:2, 6)
(Ephesians 1:3; 3:2)

Bless Myself (Own vision for self).                                God's blessings on me (God's
                                                                                         calling on my life).

Save myself (Morality)                                                  God saved me (Jesus' sacrificial death &
                                                                                         resurrection).

Earn God's favor (works).                                             Justified by faith (Ephesians 2:8 & 9).

Earthly inheritance (perishable).                                  Eternal inheritance (imperishable).

Decide on my own calling.                                            Obedient to God's calling on my life.

God's mysteries not understood.                                    Mysteries of God understood.