Day 3 | Christ's Kingdom Inside You – "Who I Am In Christ" Firm Foundation 21-Day Devotional
Luke 17:20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
A “kingdom” is a realm governed by a king or by elected leaders. For example, the United States is a kingdom. Nigeria is a kingdom. England is a kingdom. Nations have presidents, kings, queens, and prime ministers. These same nations have laws and customs that define their culture. All of us live within an earthly kingdom (nation) and live the experience and culture of our nations.
When Jesus walked the earth, the Pharisees did not understand God's kingdom under Christ. They looked for something outward, but Jesus showed them something no one had seen before. He stated that His kingdom would be "within" the hearts of people.
Things we do that are attached to something outside of us require special effort and personal strength. Things that come from within you become your strength and part of your character. A person with an artistic talent within is going to be able to do artistic work quicker and better than someone who has to learn it from without.
One of the great advantages of being in Christ is that God's kingdom is also within us. We still need to learn, but we're operating from a position of God's strength and not only human will.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NET) He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption
Religion is generally something people do in their own strength. Religious activities can be practiced without a relationship with Christ, which is what makes it empty from God's perspective. He did not send Jesus for us to trust works invented by man more than the work God did in Christ.
Three things religion cannot provide:
1. Righteousness: Right standing with God. What does not God consider "right?"
2. Sanctification: Meaning "set apart" for holy use. It is the process of becoming better, drawing closer to God, and farther from your old life. Jesus "becomes" our sanctification since it is something we cannot do.
3. Redemption: 1. The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil. 2. the action of regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for payment, or clearing a debt. Who could redeem you if not Jesus?
This is the value of a relationship with Jesus Christ. Nothing compares to it.
Reflection Questions;
1. Describe the value of your relationship with Christ
2. Why is it impossible to redeem yourself?
Action Items:
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