…to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:25-27

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Col. 2:13-15 NASB

What a great mystery we are partakers of in this age – that Christ is in us, and we are partakers of His glory! For He has chosen to make us His public display. First by forgiving us our transgressions, second by cancelling our debt, and then by revealing the power of His glory through us as we are transformed into the image of Christ.

His public display occured when He rose from the dead – and when He rose we were also raised to newness of life! Hallelujah – now we are His public display as the power of His resurrected life consumes the will and works of our old man and that life of sin. We have been made alive together with Him and stand complete in Him. And as we renew our minds by His word we begin to express His glory as we walk in His triumph over sin and self. The natural man cannot accomplish this, only the spiritual man who is pursuing the fulness of his inheritance in the resurrection. Notcie Paul’s heart in Phil. 3:10-14…

that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Beloved, there is a goal in this life – namely, to walk in the reality of our resurrection in Christ so that the world will see His glorious power at work in the earth. Indeed, the whole earth longs for the children of God to manifest His kingdom in the earth as a living testimony in advance of His appearing. One day soon Jesus will return to reclaim what is rightfully His and He will recreate it according to His desire. But until then, we are called to be His public display – a glimpse into the reality of that glorious day.

It is time to move beyond the elementary principles of the faith and press on towards maturity. Long enough have we hashed over basic doctrine, church structure and stylistic preference. Long enough have we held to the mentality where one says “I am of Paul” and another “I am of Apollos.” Oh that we would be a faithful generation that takes God at His word and walks in the reality of the coming age in this age! Such is the inheritance of the saints – to be His public display of having overcome sin, the flesh and the world. For we have been raised with Him and seated in heavenly places with Him. All that remains is living that reality as a witness to His great glory & power.

The Jordan begs to be crossed!

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Pet. 2:9

This passage in 1 Peter is so dear to me for it speaks to a reality that I long to see manifested in the people of God.

We are - a race that has never before existed, selected out of darkness. My key word here is genos meaning race or offspring. So then attachments to our natural race must begin to give way to the nature of our new race. As believers, we need to walk in our new racial identity that proceeds from the Spirit who makes us one.

We are - a kingdom of priests, as God first spoke of Israel to Moses. My key word here is basileion which denotes the right to exercise authority. As kingdom people we must express the nature of His kingdom to the world that they might see His glory. Love, self-sacrifice, deliverance from oppression, release from bondage – not wealth or the abundance of goods.

We are - a nation, set apart unto God. My key word here is ethnos denoting a tribe or family. We have an ethnicity, a culture, that is unique in the earth – a culture of heaven.

Can you imagine if the people of God actually walked in this reality? As a new race of humans, exercising the dominion of God in their manner of living, expressing a culture that is unique to the earth. A people who can say as Jesus did, “The kingdom of God has come near you.”

As citizens of the Kingdom of God we are the only ones who can bring His light and love into the kingdoms of this world. Where our lives intersect the world we are responsible to express the nature and culture of the Kingdom of God – not the programs of our church or a Christianity flavored with our earthly enthnicity. The world needs to see a singular expression of the culture and nature of the Kingdom of God being manifest through the people of God. Surely when the Lord returns we will no longer distinguish ourselves by our former earthly cultures, but we will walk as His people.

We are one people, inhabited by one Spirit – one race, one priesthood, one nation, one new humanity. And it is the expression of this wonderful new humanity that proclaims the excellencies of God.

So here are are two question?

1. Should we seek multi-cultural Christianity, when the cultures being celebrated are our earthly ones, or should we seek the expression of a heavenly culture?

2. Is our corporate testimony hindered when we distinguish ourselves along earthly ethnic and cultural boundaries?

We are not here by accident or by chance – regardless of the circumstances surrounding our entry into the earth, as Paul said to the Athenians,

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,” Acts 17:26

Now here, Paul is speaking of nations, but the same applies to us individually. We have all been allotted a time (kairos) in which to live upon the earth and the Lord has established the boundaries of our habitation. Our appearance on the earth at this particular point in time is not by chance but by divine design. However, our purpose is part of a greater work that extends in both directions from our allotted time. It stretches back to the ages before us connecting us with all that has gone before, and reaches beyond our time to impact generations yet to be created. Our lives are part of a much larger context that, although beyond our ability to control, is certainly impacted by the decisions we make and the mentality with which we operate.

If we simply live our lives with no thought to our historical context, and no consideration of our future impact, we become like Narcissus: the handsome young man from Greek mythology  who was doomed to fall in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. This is the phenomenon that tends people to believe their moment in history is the most important or to develop an overly-inflated sense of the value of their generation. Of course, each generation is important within the greater context of God’s unfolding purpose. However, to not realize how our generation fits within His unfolding purpose, as if the flow of time is somehow discontiguous, is foolishly Narcissistic.

Take for instance the matter of Christ’s return. Every generation since the apostles has believed they were the generation that would see the return of the Lord. That inaccurate assumption lead to inaccurate doctrine and the construction of elaborate, yet irrelevant, structures that ultimately hindered the advancement of God’s purpose. Rather than accurately discerning their place in time (chronos) so as to advance the time (kairos) of God’s purpose they fixated on theirgeneration – as if the whole of human history revolved around them. They were like the children who inherited great wealth and spent it on themselves rather than establishing a heritage for their children’s children. Their failure to effectively build trans-generational bridges has, in my opinion, hindered the advancement of God’s purpose.

Now of course I understand that God is God – and His purpose is always in a continuous state of advance. However, I also understand that He has chosen, by His sovereign will, to incorporate redeemed humanity into His purpose. And to that end, our actions have direct impact on the advancement of His purpose. Truly, His word will not return to Him void, but will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. However, His word is like seed which can lay dormant for many generations, awaiting a people who will foster the conditions for that seed to germinate. Such a people will be those who lay aside self-absorbed attitudes and self-seeking works to embrace His purpose and advance His kingdom rather than their own.

To use a somewhat oversimplified analogy. The history of humanity is like stage upon which the Lord is unfolding His glorious purpose. There is a continung narrative that we find ourselves a part of, and unless we recognize our place within theat narrative we will speak our lines off cue, effectively disrupting the flow. Every individual within their respective generation has their part to play. Some embrace their role, striving for accuracy in both delivery and representation, realizing that the whole is greater than their part. Some approach their role haphazardly being more concerned with accolades and recognition. Still others never arrive on stage being content to hang out in the spiritual green room. Yet, there is an audience – a great cloud of witnesses – who long for the play to finish!

Beloved, we must choose to be a people who diligently pursue the purpose of God in our generation – first individually, then corporately. As individuals we must allow the Word to pierce us, rightly dividing our soul and spirit, rightly discern our thoughts and intents, and rightly defining our place in time according to the ever-expanding kingdom of God. We must allow that kingdom within to be outwardly expressed in every are of our lives and be built together with others who are doing the same. Then, as a corporate man, we must seek to advance the purpose of God by establishing the reign of His kingdom within the boundaries of our habitation.

How many impotent generations must pass before one arises that will declare and possess that which is rightfully the Lord’s? May we not be counted among them that fall by the wayside, having put their hand to the plow and looked back. Instead, may we be those in whom the Lord can show Himself strong and through whom a greater measure of the glory of Christ can be revealed.

I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else in this world or in the world to come. Eph 1:16-21 NLT

There is certainly more in this passage than could be addressed in a lifetime, let alone a blog post. But I want to draw attention to a theme that is central to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians – that of the heavenly places. Beloved, we desperately need to believe the Word concerning our position in Christ – that of being raised with Him and seated with Him. We need to see beyond the borders of our natural horizon, and believe beyond the borders of our horizon of faith. We need elevated sight that only comes from living in the reality of our heavenly position. Consider Paul’s continuing exhortation in Eph. 2:6-7 NLT

For he raised us from the dead along with Christ, and we are seated with him in the heavenly realms–all because we are one with Christ Jesus. And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us through Christ Jesus.

We see that just as Christ is raised from the dead and seated in the heavenly realms, so also are we with Him! Beloved, this is glorious! For just as He is far above any ruler, authority or power – so are we. We are His ambassadors to the earth, that we might show forth His excellent greatness, His dominion over sin and His authority over the power of Satan. Remember His promise, that we would be endued with power after the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and that power – the power that raised jesus from the dead – now dwells in us. All that separates us from manifesting the truth of our position in Christ is faith. Do we believe what the Word says? Do we truly believe we are now raised from the dead and seated with Him?

Now, I am not speaking of an exercise of faith in keeping with certain preachers and teachers who think godliness is a means of financial gain, but rather a faith that exercises the power and purpose of God with respect to the advance of His kingdom in the earth. The faith that is exercised for His benefit, not man’s. A faith that is consumed with the Spirit, not the flesh. For without this type of faith being applied our sight will be earthbound rather than heavenly. Our walk will be more futile than overcoming. Consider the following.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in [fn] God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. Eph. 3:8-10

Beloved, there is a testimony that needs to be manifested through the body of Christ to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places, and we need the elevated sight that comes from walking in the reality of having been seated with Christ to affect this testimony. We are a heavenly people, not an earthly people – whether we realize it or not. Unfortunately, most of the effort in serving the Lord is taken up from an earthly position. Rather than believing who we already are, many are still trying to become. Rather than walking in the new man who cannot sin, many are still trying to rehabilitate the old man. Rather than boldly coming before the throne of grace, convinced of the finished work of Christ, most believers still wrestle with guilt and unworthiness for they lack resurrection sight.

Lastly, consider Paul’s words near the end of his letter.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12 NLT

Beloved, as long as the enemy has us earthbound he keeps us spiritually impotent – unable to effectively download the Father’s purpose into the earth. Oh how we need elevated sight and radical faith – not for our fleshly desires but for His eternal purpose! Oh how we need to pray from a place of heavenly authority rather than earthly need, from unenlightened request to the known will of God. Not that we forsake upward prayer, but we add to it downward decree. If God is going to affect change in the earth He does so through the agency of mankind – even to the point of becoming a man, tasting our humanity and showing forth what it means to walk with God as a man. And if that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us then He will give life to our mortal bodies. That life flows from the Father, through the Son by the Spirit and seeks to manifest the glory of God in the earth. As Paul exhorted us in 2 Cor. 4:11,

For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

Notice, that twice Paul speaks of this glory being revealed in our mortal bodies, not immortal. How blessed is mankind that God would choose to reveal Himself through us!

As the Psalmist said,

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet… Psalm 8:4-6

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth. Give us elevated sight and radical faith that we might walk in the fulness of Your resurrection power in this life. That we might show forth Your glory, which You have so graciously bestowed upon men, so that the world will see an authentic expression of Christ, through Your people.

But whatsoever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as detestable refuse so that I may gain Christ, and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Phil. 3:7-11

Notice that aside from the first sentence (verse 7) the rest is one continuous sentence, which provides understanding as to the process. Having grown up in the consumeristic, instant-gratification culture which is America, if we are to take on the nature and culture of the kingdom, all that pertains to our earthly culture must perish. For in as much as we seek to flavor our expression of Christ with any hint of our earthly culture we taint the purity of His expression. Is that a difficult saying? Yes indeed. But consider Paul’s words.

Paul chose to count all things to be loss and willingly suffered the loss of all things. Paul was an encultrated Jew. He was of a people who had the greatest validity of any to bring aspects of their culture into the new covenant. Bet here Paul reveals that all those things are loss, for in verses 4-6 he recounts the aspects of his earthly culture that once had validity, but now were rendered invalid. So much so he refers to those holding on to the previous culture as being of the false circumcision! Everything that defined him apart from Christ was now considered to be the offscouring of his new identity, which he joyfully and willingly shed that he might gain Christ. We see here an imperative: in order to gain Christ we must let go of all that once brought definition and be redefined according to our new nature and culture. Paul’s goal is to attain to the resurrection of the dead: not after his physical demise, but here and now!

To this point, notice that Paul’s pursuit to gain Christ in His resurrection begins with knowing Him. Oh how we need to know Christ! As Paul also stated, “I have determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” And again the prophet Jeremiah utters the Lord’s words, “Let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows me…” So then to know Christ is the greatest thing in life, for that leads us to experiencing the power of His resurrection. But notice that knowing Him is intrinsically tied to being conformed to His death. Yes, when Christ died all died (2 Cor. 5:14) but we who believe in Christ are constantly being given over to death so that life might work in us and through us. What has been accomplished eternally is being lived out temporally.

Beloved, may we have such a heart. To embrace His death and the killing power of the cross so that we might also walk in the reality of His resurrection – here on the earth as a testimony to that which will one day be realized in full. For in our pursuit to know the Lord we are conformed to His death allowing the life of His resurrection to be expressed through our mortal being, thus manifesting the culture of the kingdom and aligning our natural lifestyle in accordance with His glory and will!

So then the “gospel” is the Good Message or News. But concerning what? Why did we need such a good message? Because the whole world has fallen under the power of the evil one (1 Jn. 5:19) and mankind was hopelessly trapped in the bondage of sin suffering the effects of a sinful nature. Even the most devout Jew had no recourse in dealing with the sin nature – even if by personal piety he or she attained some measure of obedience to the Law.

So then the good news is simply this: the Kingdom of God has come, and the King is exercising His rule, reign, dominion and authority – first as an individual, presently through an overcoming corporate expression, and ultimately through a Bride who has made herself ready to be joined to the Bridegroom. Those who believe into Christ’s death may now enjoy the blessings of His victorious resurrection. Their sins are cleansed, their minds are being renewed and through the cross, their sin nature is being dealt with. So then, is salvation an aspect of this glorious gospel – absolutely!

But the gospel of the Kingdom extends far beyond the initial transference from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Christ (Col. 1:13). It literally encompasses all of creation. Have we not read that the whole creation anxiously awaits the revealing of the sons of God (Rom 8:19-21), knowing that it is subject to futility, but will one day enjoy release. Beloved, we are called to be a living witness, an expression, of that glorious heavenly kingdom in the midst of a fallen world.

I have said before and maintain that the Lord wants to move beyond situational, temporary revival to a sustained expression of His kingdom. Yes we praise God for the temporary legitimate outpourings of His grace in our midst, but He is presently stirring our hearts to believe and lay hold of something far greater. That His Name is hallowed, His kingdom comes and His will is done – on earth as it is in heaven!

Brethren, when one kingdom is overtaking another it is war. Thank God we are in Christ, who has already overcome! I submit to you it is not merely the message that is the key, but the Kingdom represented in and through that message. Without the power and display of the Kingdom, the message is merely words, albeit powerful words. And thanks be to God that He has used our feeble words to bring many to Him. But let’s not be content with possessing the message only, let’s lay hold of the substance being proclaimed in that message. Consider these passages.

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom (message), and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness  among the people (substance). Matt. 4:23

But if I cast out demons (substance) by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Matt. 12:28

The Son of God appeared (message) for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil (substance). 1 Jn. 3:8
But He said to them, “I must preach (message) the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.” Luke 4:43

We see here that Jesus was sent to proclaim the good news, the message, that the Kingdom of God had come to planet earth. Essentially God was making it clear – This is My planet, My universe, My creation, and I have returned to reclaim what is rightfully Mine. Now, in the physical absence of our King we, by His Spirit, have both the responsibility and authority to continue the work He began.

The position of our community is one of pursuing the Person of Jesus Christ our King and expressing the substance of His Kingdom through supernatural lifestyles, acts of service and expressions of grace. What an awesome message the saints have been entrusted with!

Now, even a cursory view of covenant is well beyond the scope of this writing – but we will be covering it in-depth throughout our series on the Kingdom of God beginning in January in our equipping meetings. For this writing let’s consider some preliminary concepts that apply to individuals in community.

Covenant relationships are a matter of life, being made between those who are living. Thus the significance of the shedding of blood to ratify a covenant, for the life is in the blood. We who believe are of one blood – the blood of Christ, which was shed to enact a new covenant between God and man. Now we share in the life of God, and that life is only expressed in community. Therefore, it is necessary that we walk in community with others: sharing the life of Christ with one another, sharpening one another, challenging one another, holding one another accountable, rejoicing, weeping and serving one another. Such a relationship precludes us from walking alone with a “just Jesus and me” mentality. Beloved, that is not the way of the kingdom.

We are meant to be built together, as Ps 122 says “Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together” and again Paul says in Ephesians that we are being “built together a habitation of God in the Spirit.” This describes a people whose lives are integrally intertwined. In a wall that is built together one stone cannot move without affecting the adjoining stones. As well, the integrity of the wall depends on the connection between the stones.

Beloved I am concerned that many have been led astray by the individualistic spirit of the world that tends towards a lack of commitment to anything save that which meets our needs – but we are called to something greater. To a place where we genuinely love one another and commit to one another for the long-term. Where we bear one another’s burdens, rejoice with one another’s victories and celebrate one another’s uniqueness. Where we recognize those to whom we are destined to be joined and commit mutually for one another’s edification. For in that mutual interacting of the resident grace of Christ we experience a building together that is glorious.

There are some who say, “You build your portion and I will build mine and we will trust the Lord to build the kingdom.” Although this mentality has aspects of truth it relinquishes any responsibility on our part to actively and intentionally pursue oneness. I believe we should defer to James in this regard, “Faith without works is dead, being alone.”

Let’s consider some scriptures.

• And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.  Acts 4:32
• Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; Phil 1:27
• Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Phil 2:2
• “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.” John 17:21-22
• Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 15:5-6

Clearly the Lord expects and has provided the grace for a measure of oneness that far exceeds our present condition. If we as a community are to truly express the kingdom, then the nature of the Godhead will be evident – and our God is One. Beloved we are to be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, for there is “one body and one Spirit, just as we were called in one hope of our calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.”

Now, the enemy would like to convince us that such a place is too lofty in the current context. Indeed, many have effectively forsaken the pursuit of this expression of oneness being content to settle for compromised positions wherein we outwardly tolerate and make room for one another, but inwardly maintain the barriers that divide. But there is a cry from the Spirit of God that His people be one, as He is one. And if we are to progress towards a finishing generation we are compelled to heed that cry and change our behaviors accordingly.

Now, all this being said, it is clear that there will be dissension and a failure on the part of many to embrace sound doctrine requiring that we take a stand on what has been delivered once for all to the saints. Therefore it may be that such an expression of oneness is primarily achievable within our own company. So then let’s strive for that at least, while not forsaking the intent of the Spirit towards a greater expression of oneness.

I simply refuse to believe that what we clearly see in the Scriptures is now unattainable. For that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in us – and He is the Spirit that makes us one.

Consider Hebrews 12:26-28.

“And His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, ”Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heaven.” This expression, “Yet once more,” denotes the removing of those things which can be shaken, as of created things, so that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.”

Beloved, the Lord is shaking the earth and the heaven in order to reveal that which cannot be shaken. All the chaos, confusion and turmoil being experienced by the world is intentional – it is being shaken. Yet in the midst of this shaking we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken! In His kingdom there is order, understanding, peace, joy and love. In the world there is tribulation – but Christ has overcome the world, and we are in Christ.

Therefore, we can and should express strength, joy and confidence in the midst of chaos because our kingdom is not of this world. As citizens of heaven it is both our right and responsibility to express the reality of the kingdom of God, and His kingdom is unshakable. What a testimony to those around us when we are utterly unaffected by the state of the world system both experientially and practically. I know this may be a stretch for some but I desire to elevate your sight. Do you understand that the kingdom of God is overtaking the kingdoms of this world? Do you remember the prophecy from Isaiah concerning Jesus,

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.

Some would promote an escapist mentality suggesting the rapture is our ticket out of here when it all goes bad – as if the destiny of the church follows that of the world. I remind you of Isaiah’s words – His government and peace will continue to increase – not decrease – as the end of the age approaches. It has always been the destiny of humanity to exercise the Lord’s dominion and authority in the earth – beginning with Adam, and culminating in Christ, in whom we His children now stand and through whom we now reign. Indeed, all of creation groans, awaiting the manifestation of the sons of God. It seems the creation is more convinced than most believers as to who is in authority.

It is in the context of community (koinonia) that we experience and express this divine strength. For having abandoned religious form and tradition we reach towards being built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit. We forsake the building of church and embrace the building of Christ in people – trusting Him to build the church. We move from superficial relationships to covenant relationships wherein we draw strength and life from one another as we touch Christ in each one. And we function as one man with one heart, one mind, one purpose – a borderless, kingdom people who function as being in the world but not of the world. We literally translate the kingdom of heaven onto the earth, and that kingdom imposes the will, reign and dominion of its King – Our Lord Jesus Christ

So then be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Eph. 6:10), for the joy of the Lord is your strength (Neh. 8:10).

In Rom 12 Paul explains that we have differing gifts according to the grace of Christ which is operating in us. In 2 Cor 8 he again speaks of one chosen to travel with him “in this grace, which is being administered by us to the glory of the Lord.” In Gal. 2 Paul speaks of James, Peter and John perceiving the grace which was upon him. And importantly, in Eph. 4 we see that every one of us has been given a grace according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Clearly, this matter of grace is important, and provides insight into the structure of kingdom community. For as Paul continues in Eph. 4 we see that some were given as gifts, essentially crystallized expressions, of grace to equip the saints for works of service to the building up of the body of Christ. Peter also exhorts us in chapter 4 of his first letter, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” So it is clear that we all have received gifts according to the grace of Christ and we are commanded to serve one another by properly stewarding that grace.

Of course, this space is much too short to fully expound these matters, but suffice to say that recognizing and yielding to the grace in one another is key to our development as a community of believers – and subsequently, our expression to the world of the kingdom of God. Let us labor to no longer know any man after the flesh, but after the Spirit so that we might walk after the pattern of heaven rather than the traditions of men.