Luke 17:21 says.. “Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Charles Capps says that because the kingdom is within us we have all the resources and the things we need for life resting within us. This kingdom is no less powerful than the kingdom that will be set up in the “New Jerusalem”. He is not saying that man has within himself any special abilities, but, that the kingdom of God on the inside of him will produce what he needs.
God has made provision for His people through His Kingdom.
Matthew 6:33.. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
I believe with Charles Capps that the things we need come through the Kingdom of God, and, this is the reason Jesus tells us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
So we have two clues as to how we should live from these two scriptures. In the context in which Jesus was speaking about seeking the kingdom of God He is talking about the needs of people and trusting God. He is saying not to worry about these things ( needs), but, to seek first the kingdom. Obviously, our needs will be met when we seek the kingdom of God because Jesus says that these things will be added to us.
So, now we know where the kingdom of God resides. So, how do we get from it the things God had provided for us? Jesus describes the kingdom like this:
Mark 4:12 Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.
Earlier in the 4th chapter of Mark Jesus told the parable of the sower. When he explained the meaning of the parable to his disciples he said,
“the sower soweth the word”(Mark 4:14) So the seed represents the Word of God. Where is the seed planted? In the next verse Jesus says that…
“Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” ( Mark 4:15)
So the word that the devil takes was planted in the heart of man. In describing the kingdom Jesus compares it to …a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, grows up and becomes…
Jesus is telling us how the kingdom works. Most importantly, how it works in us. When we sow the word of God in our hearts it will bring forth a crop. It will become, or, manifest whatever it was designed to bring forth. When we speak, “my God supplies all my need according to His riches in Glory by Christ Jesus,” we have just planted a seed in our hearts. What is it going to produce in the heart? Faith! That is if we don’t speak contrary to what the word of God says. After faith comes the words of God that are spoken into your heart will bring a harvest.
Set Yourself In Agreement With God
Speaking God’s word set us in agreement with Him. If you are believing that God supplies all your needs through His riches in glory by Christ Jesus then you words should line up with His Word. To say anything else is to set your self in confusion. You cannot believe one thing and be speaking contrary.
Listen to what James says about a man who prays for wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6)But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7)That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. (James 1:5-8)
The word doubt means – uncertainty, unsureness, indecision, suspicion, confusion. The dictionary says doubt is – indecision. If you are doubting God’s word you have not decided whether believe Him or not. The decision is yours to make. Also, if you look at the end of this passage you will see that James says that the man who doubts is a double-minded man who is unstable in all he does. Double minded. Two minds. Two conflicting thoughts. Divided! Remember when Jesus said, ” A kingdom divided against itself will fall?’ (Matt 12:25-26) He also says that, “If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand?” If Satan can be divided against himself so can we.
Don’t be confused. Don’t doubt. Speak God’s Word. Trust Him. Control your tongue and believe God. Build you faith in God’s Word by hearing it. Speak it. Don’t contradict it. Stand firm. Remain single minded when it comes to what God has spoken to you through His Word. And by that I mean His written word. I believe this is what the bible means when it say
“..faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Roman 10:17)
If you want operate in the Kingdom of God stay in His Word. Build your faith. Believing and speaking God’s Word gives Him access into your life to operate on your behalf.
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