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I AM Working on It: Growing Through the Stages of Kingdom Life

 

"A seed growing into a tree as a symbol of spiritual maturity."

I AM Working on It (Ephesians 5:5)

"You can be sure of this: no immoral, impure or greedy person who commits idolatry can have an inheritance in the Kingdom of God."  Ephesians 5:5 (KSB)

   There are steps to this; there are stages to this. In the natural, we go through stages of development, in the womb, zygote, embryo, fetus, and then we come out of the womb as a newborn, infant, toddler, child, adolescent, young adult, and into late adulthood. Life happens in steps and stages naturally, and it’s the same way supernaturally. It is the same way spiritually. Things happen in steps and stages. When we are in the world, and then the Word hits our heart, we become conceived in the Spirit in the womb of the church. Spiritually, we are those zygotes, embryos, and fetuses learning who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is, and who we are in Him. We begin learning spiritual disciplines in the womb of the church.

   But there comes a point where we outgrow the womb of the church. The water breaks, and the church pushes us out, we are birthed into the Kingdom. When you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, you are not immediately “born again” fully grown, you are conceived. Just as conception begins life in the natural, conception in the Spirit requires growth and development before birthing into Kingdom living. Jesus said, “Except you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). Seeing the Kingdom means recognizing that it exists, knowing that there is something beyond the church. It is realizing that God’s power and presence rule over all creation, and that His will is meant to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

   Once we see the Kingdom, the next step is Entering the Kingdom. Entering means learning the principles and practices of Kingdom living, walking in love, living balanced, embracing divinity, engaging in prayer, and trusting God’s promises of optimal health, harmonious relationships, and overflowing provision. As we grow deeper, we move into Inheriting the Kingdom. This is what Paul speaks of in Ephesians 5:5 receiving the benefits of Kingdom life. It is no longer just us working the Kingdom, but the Kingdom working for us. Our lives begin to reflect transformation, health, peace, restored relationships, and provision flow as we live in thanksgiving, forgiveness, and generosity.

   Everyone in the Kingdom is at different stages of development. Just as in the natural world, no one grows at the same pace. There are three systems at work on the earth, the world, the church, and the Kingdom. The question is, where are you in your stage of Kingdom development?

Stages of Kingdom Life

1. Seeing – Knowing

2. Entering – Practicing

3. Inheriting – Benefiting

đź“– Reflection: Which stage of Kingdom life are you in right now seeing, entering, or inheriting?

đź’ˇ Action Step: Ask God to show you where He wants you to grow. Commit to one Kingdom practice this week—thanksgiving, forgiving, or life-giving—and watch your spiritual maturity deepen.

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