Skip to main content

I AM Working on It: Stages of Kingdom Life

 


I AM Working on
"Small plant growing from soil, symbolizing spiritual growth in Christ."

It: Stages of Kingdom Life (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. Just as we experience stages of development in the natural from zygote, embryo, and fetus to newborn, child, and eventually adulthood we also go through spiritual stages. Life unfolds in steps and stages both naturally and supernaturally. When we first encounter God’s Word and it pierces our hearts, something is conceived in the spirit. Just as a baby must grow in the womb before birth, we grow within the womb of the church, learning who God is, who Jesus is, who the Holy Spirit is, and who we are in Him. We also begin practicing spiritual disciplines. Eventually, the water breaks, and we are birthed into the Kingdom of God.

   When we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are not yet fully born again, we are conceived. Conception is the beginning of a process that requires growth, nourishment, and time until we are birthed into the Kingdom life. Jesus said, except you are born again, you cannot see the kingdom of God. First, we see the Kingdom we realize there is more than just church life, more than worldly life, and that God’s Kingdom is real and active. We begin to perceive God’s power and dominion operating on the earth. Next, we move from seeing to entering the Kingdom. To enter means to learn and apply Kingdom principles love, balance, divine order, prayer, and communication with God. We embrace Kingdom promises such as health, peace, provision, and wholeness. As we practice these principles, our lives are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

   Finally, we reach the stage of inheriting the Kingdom. This is when the Kingdom begins to work for us. Instead of only working Kingdom principles, we experience the fruit of them: optimal health, harmonious relationships, and overflowing provision. We learn how to activate change through thanksgiving, forgiving, and life-giving. These practices heal, restore, and release God’s blessings in our lives. Not everyone in the church or in the Kingdom is at the same stage of development, but each step is necessary. There are three systems in operation on earth the world, the church, and the Kingdom and within each, God is working through stages of development.

   Paul reminds us in Ephesians 5:5 that we inherit the Kingdom through holy living and spiritual maturity. As we continue growing, we move closer to fully experiencing the life God intends.

Stages of Kingdom Life

1. Seeing – Knowing the Kingdom exists

2. Entering – Practicing Kingdom principles

3. Inheriting – Benefiting from Kingdom promises

📖 Reflection: Which stage of spiritual development are you currently in seeing, entering, or inheriting the Kingdom?

💡 Action Step: Take one step this week to grow deeper in Kingdom living through prayer, thanksgiving, or forgiving.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Universe Means One Thing: Love

  Universe Means One Thing: Love "For all the law is fulfilled in this one word, love: Love your neighbor as yourself."   Galatians 5:14 (KSB)    Sometimes, the word “universe” can feel mysterious even spooky to some. Others think it's irreverent or sacrilegious when used in spiritual conversations. But what if we redefined it? What if “universe” simply meant love? What if it meant God, since God is love?  When we say, “the universe,” we can think of it as pointing to one word love. Just one word. The entire Bible, composed of 66 books and written by over 40 different authors, ultimately speaks to one central theme: love. From beginning to end, this divine book points us toward loving God, loving ourselves, and loving others.  In the Old Testament, God's people had 636 laws civil, ceremonial, and moral. They guided everything from relationships to religious festivals. But then Jesus came and said, “Let me make this simple Love God. Love yourself. L...
Post a Comment
Read more

Refocus Your Faith: How to Overcome Distraction, Disappointment, and Discouragement

  Refocus Your Faith: How to Overcome Distraction, Disappointment, and Discouragement "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."   Galatians 5:6 (KSB)    With everything going on around us, it's easy to feel lost. Distractions come quickly, disappointments pile up, and discouragement sneaks in. We all face these moments. But even when we get off track, there is a way back and that path is through our faith, principles, and core values.  When you live your life anchored in principles, it gives you a compass for when the road gets unclear. Knowing your vision, your mission, and your core values makes it easier to realign when life feels out of control. But if you don’t know who you are, how can you get back to being your best self? If you don’t know what you stand on, what can you stand up on after a fall?    Clarity of purpose keeps you ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hidden Treasure: You Are a Vessel, Not Just an Instrument

I AM Not an Instrument. I AM a Vessel “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KSB) Hidden in Plain Sight The image that Paul presents in 2 Corinthians 4 is that of a treasure hidden within an earthen vessel. In the Old Testament, people didn’t have locks, alarm systems, or cameras to protect their valuables. Instead, their belongings were often left exposed, making them vulnerable to thieves and robbers. To safeguard their most valuable treasures, they would hide them in jars of clay—earthen vessels—placing them in plain sight. A thief or robber would never think to look there because it wasn’t an obvious hiding place. Likewise, God has placed something valuable inside of you—a treasure of great worth. Yet, people often fail to see it. You may be right in front of them, but they don’t recognize your gifts, skills, talents, anointing, abilities, or sensitivities. You are hidden in plain sight bec...
Post a Comment
Read more