John 3:3 (NET)
Jesus replied, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Are You Living in the Spirit or Just Playing Church?
I’ve been there, trust me. For years, I just went through the motions doing the church thing. I would read my Bible a little, pray a little, and speak and pray in Christianese when I was at church. There was a lot of behavior-modification and very little life-transformation. It's easy to just go through the motions without truly living in the Spirit. Romans 8:5 makes it crystal clear that we either have the mindset of the flesh or of the Spirit. So, let's talk about what sets these two apart in our daily lives.
Your New Birthright: A Godly Disposition
When you receive salvation in Christ Jesus, it's not just about a change in your eternal zip code: it's about a change at the very foundation of your nature. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) clearly states, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!” Notice “the old has passed away,” that’s past tense. This means your old nature has died, and a new, godly disposition has been birthed in you. “Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3, NET)
When you are born from above you inherit a new godly disposition. This gives you a natural inclination to live according to God's Kingdom principles. This isn't about accepting Jesus as your savior and enduring life here in this world until you die and go to heaven. In salvation you have a new birthright, a godly disposition that enables you to actively participate in the Kingdom of God here and now. This is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10, CSB).
When a person comes to faith in Jesus, there are two monumental shifts that take place in their spiritual status that can be summed up in two words: justification and regeneration.
- Justification is God's legal act of declaring us justified in his sight. He makes us righteous by transferring to us the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
- Regeneration is the new birth that infuses us with the Holy Spirit and a new spiritual life. This isn't stagnant; it impacts every aspect of who you are—how you act, the way you talk, walk, and think—propelling you towards godliness. The Holy Spirit is constantly playing a pivotal role, sanctifying you, renewing your mind, and aligning your heart with God's Kingdom purposes.
Dethroning King Self: A Radical Life Change
Galatians 5:24 (CSB) declares, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” That's strong! And note who’s responsible for this crucifixion of the flesh. You are! Make no mistake about it, dethroning “King Self” is painful. In order for you to live the resurrected life in Christ Jesus your flesh must die. What does that mean? It means that the reign and rule of your sinful nature over your life must be put to death. That's how you dethrone King Self. You must change your intent to serve a different King, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, who reigns and rules in the Kingdom of God. You must make the decision to change your allegiance from self-rule to Christ-rule.
Our Ultimate Goal: Kingdom Living
I used to think salvation was some kind of ‘get-out-of-hell-free’ card. But it’s not! Don’t get me wrong; avoiding hell is a big deal. But it’s much more. If you’re in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9), this world is as close to hell as you will ever get. Jesus used an interesting term when He talked about salvation, He called it “eternal life” (John 17:3). Think about that. When you’re born from above, you’re given a new nature and a new position as a child of God, in Christ. This new birth is eternal. It begins here and now and extends all the way throughout eternity.
Jesus didn't come to just offer you a ticket to heaven; He came to establish His Kingdom in and through you. Let me end with these questions: Are you willing to say no to King Self and yes to King Jesus? Do you want the Kingdom of God to flow in and through you? Is living a life that is the expression of the Kingdom of God here on earth, mirroring love, peace, and joy, something that is appealing to you? This is what it means to truly live in the Kingdom, here and now.