Having a conversation with someone who really ‘knows their stuff’ is something I truly enjoy. I soak up the information, glad to be able to share the fruits of another’s hard work and experience. At the opposite side of life, when I am trapped in a conversation with someone who talks as if they know, but who obviously are lacking real experience or understanding, is a test of patience for me.
Generally, those who are genuinely knowledgeable do not feel a need to impress or go on at lengths about their expertise. They just do what they do well, demonstrating their mastery of the information. The old saying that a ‘little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ is quite true!
Jesus invites us to go beyond merely talking about faith to living in the Truth. "He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you." (Mark 4:11, NIV) The word ‘secret’ does not mean something classified, accessible only to a select few. He speaks of the knowledge of the Spirit that is not obvious to the natural mind, that is revealed to us by the Spirit and the Word. When we come to Christ Jesus through faith, the Spirit comes to live in us. Through Him we are able to communicate with God, living with insight that makes us truly different. True faith opens the ‘eyes’ that see the realities of God's rule where those without the Spirit see nothing at all!
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor was puzzled by the accusation made against him that he was a king inciting rebellion. He asked, "Where is your kingdom?" Jesus answered him with these words, cryptic to those without faith, “I am not an earthly king. If I were, my followers would have fought when I was arrested by the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36, NLT) He had no need to bluff or bluster, to threaten or stall. He knew Who He was and was trusting His Father’s will. To those with natural eyes He may have seemed delusional. But, He was living in the dominion of God, the unseen rule of Heaven.
Those who come to Christ are given citizenship in that Kingdom and they live in the ‘secret’ Presence of God in this world. Truly Kingdom people are not deluded, though we are often accused of being 'out of touch' by those who cannot understand the ways of the Holy Spirit. We see the unseen and live by a wisdom that transcends the knowledge of this world. Living in the Kingdom lets us understand the riddles that puzzle unbelievers -"Die to live. Give to gain. Serve to rule. Turn the other cheek. Forgive those who mistreat you." Matthew 5 begins with the Beatitudes- statements that turn life upside down, words that nonsensical to those who are not in the Kingdom! "Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn... blessed are the meek." Such words invite ridicule in a world where the rich, the happy, and the powerful are envied and emulated, yet they make sense to those who know the secret Kingdom, who organize their lives by the laws of Heaven.
Some who are Christians fail to fully enter the Kingdom life. Their faith is undeveloped and so they continue to live only with natural understanding - doing their best by their will and wit, trying to find some relief from the tedium of life. They will not fully trust Jesus’ wisdom and thus are unable to enter the Kingdom of God where they could enjoy the ‘abundant life’ of Jesus.
Here is a question worthy of prayerful thought:
Which wisdom shapes my mind and thus my decisions?
Do I live only for this present world, guiding by the natural, or am I faith-full, guided by the Spirit.
Yes, my friend, there is a “secret” Kingdom that is not really secret at all. You are invited in. Believe Him and begin to see through eyes of faith, God’s truth made plain by the Spirit revelation. Jesus told a man of power and prominence - “I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God...The truth is, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit." (John 3:3, 5 NLT)
Here is a word from the Word about the Kingdom I love. May they captivate your mind and heart and cause you to enter His reign, too. "I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world, and not the kind that appeals to the rulers of this world, who are being brought to nothing. No, the wisdom we speak of is the secret wisdom of God, which was hidden in former times, though he made it for our benefit before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would never have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and shows us even God’s deep secrets." (1 Corinthians 2:6-10, NLT)
Trust Jesus. Invite the Holy Spirit ‘renew your mind’ so that you can be a living child of God, in on the secret of eternal life, heavenly life right here and now! That ‘hidden’ will become obvious to others, the ‘fruit’ of the Spirit mature and refreshing to those with whom you live.
(Video of
this blog at this link)
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Over all the earth You reign on high
Every mountain stream every sunset sky
But my one request Lord my only aim
Is that You'd reign in me again
Lord reign in me reign in Your pow'r
Over all my dreams in my darkest hour
You are the Lord of all I am
So won't You reign in me again
Over every thought over every word
May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord
'Cause You mean more to me
Than any earthly thing
So won't You reign in me again
Brenton Brown
© 1998 Vineyard Songs (UK/Eire) (Admin. by Integrity Music)
CCLI License # 810055
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