Jesus stood with Nicodemus in John’s Gospel; as He did, He released one of the greatest statements of doctrinal truth ever. John 3:3, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” This statement declares to us about the kingdom of God that is to dwell within us. The goal of this blog is to cause us to understand that God desires to have His kingdom reside within us. This source and presence of His glory reveals all that God is to us so we can become all that we are called to be.
1.) From Outside to Inside
The world looks for things on the outside, but we, as believers, have God’s kingdom dwelling within us. This is both a declaration of the victory that was won at Calvary and the revelation of what God always intended for us: His presence and His kingdom to dwell within us. Colossians 1:27 states, “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you the hope of glory.” This declaration of the presence of God in our lives shouts the hope that is yet to be revealed. The very presence of the kingdom of God in us is the precursor to what is coming. It is also the sealing of our lives to God by the Holy Spirit that now resides in the believer.
2.) Qualities That Lead
Romans 14:17 states, “For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” All of these qualities are the revelations of the kingdom of God that dwells within us as believers. This scripture speaks about the ongoing presence of the kingdom of God on the inside. This kingdom is the overall authority that declares the perfect will of heaven for our lives. Colossians 3:15 states, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body.” Vs. 16 states, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another…” The peace becomes the umpire for your decisions, and the word of the kingdom that dwells within us allows us to discern what God has and is saying. Putting these two together keeps us in the center of the will of God for us and releases the directions we need for every decision.
3.) Kingdom Seen, Kingdom Entered
Back to John 3:3-5, Jesus stated to Nicodemus that unless one is born again, one cannot see the kingdom of God. Jesus’ statement means to not only enter the kingdom of God after death but to see and discern the kingdom of God in the spirit of the man who is born again. In Luke chapter 17 and verses 20-21, Jesus states, “the kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here or there!’ For indeed the kingdom of God is within you.” The delight of heaven and the purpose of reconciliation are to have man connected spiritually to God. Back in John 3:5, Jesus said that not only will they not be able to see the kingdom unless they are born again, but they cannot enter it either. As believers, we have been given both attributes of the kingdom. We can discern all that God has for us by the Holy Spirit, and we can also walk in that place as Christians and activate the very principles that are there. Matthew 16:19 states, “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” The authority of having the kingdom within us allows us to activate and use the very principles there. In John 1:12, the word says, ”But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right (authority) to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.
Everything we are and everything we possess is connected to the power and the authority of the kingdom of God that dwells within us. The right to exercise the power of God has been given to us who believe in Jesus Christ. We are born from above, and the kingdom that is from above now resides in us. We have no lack, and the victory of the kingdom has everything that we need to govern, direct, and possess for our lives. Every promise of God is now yes and amen. We have the fullness of God dwelling in and with us. Believers, let’s stand up as the kingdom people that we truly are and exercise the rights of all that He is to His Glory, Honor, and Praise.
Blessings
Pastor Giovannetti
