Kingdom Part 2

Jesus came to our time and space and took on human form and flesh in obedience to the Father's wishes. Jesus modeled for us what the kingdom will of God is. Without this model, that we find in the New Testament, mankind would have went about using a theoretical concept of how we thought God would want us to carry out his plans. Jesus is the model that we look to for the kingdom work and power of God.

The world that Jesus came too was not the one that God had originally created. Through deception (on the devil's part) and disobedience (on the part of man and woman), relationship with God was broken, and with this act men and women fell into bondage and slavery to the devil, the prince of this world (Rom. 5:12 / John 8:34). Since that time, a spiritual battle has raged with Satan attempting to completely and eternally separate human beings from their creator (Eph. 6:12)

As we wrote in yesterdays posting, I John 3:8 declares that Jesus has been manifested or made known in order to destroy the works of the devil. What are the works of the devil? Easy, what effects of sin do you see in your every day life? For me, it would be those who come to Rapha trapped in addiction. They are convinced that their problems are merely chemical or alcoholic in nature, but as you begin to work with them, they begin to see how their rebellious lifestyle has lead them to this point. That sin became their master and they followed it where every it went, doing what ever it told them to do. It took a power greater than themselves to break the power of sin in their life. That power has a name and that name is Jesus Christ. On a cross of wood and in a borrowed tomb, Jesus broke the back of the kingdom of darkness by paying the price, once and for all time, for the sin of mankind. How cool is that.

Once the power of sin has been broken in our lives by our surrender of our will and life to Christ, He provides us with the power to walk out a daily life of obedience. I don't care how you slice it, that's a pretty good deal. For that I am grateful!

Romans 7:24-25 -- 8:1-2
Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is. In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.

Let these words soak deep into your spirit and understand that you don't have to live under the yoke and oppression of sin and separation from God.
Turn, confess, pray and ask God to free you!
God on you .......
mb