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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.

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