Many people choose to live in the kingdom of darkness rather than immigrate to the kingdom of light. (To paraphrase Jesus’ first message: “Immigrate to the kingdom of light!”) I’m a spiritual immigrant who fled the world for a new way of life in God’s kingdom.
Don’t just be a tourist in the kingdom of God. Become a permanent resident & full citizen. There’s lots of love, community & celebration when immigrants to God’s kingdom meet together. (The New Testament calls that kind of meeting ekklesia.) God’s kingdom is the most beautiful “land”–full of the fruit of the Spirit! “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Galatians 5:22 Come see!
Foreigners to God’s authority are invited to shift their allegiance to His kingdom. To follow Christ is to be assimilated into His heavenly culture and lifestyle. Refugees gain entrance to God’s kingdom, not based on documentation they achieve, but on grace and mercy. Once they enter God’s kingdom they are called to live by it’s standards, not by the world’s.
God calls people to immigrate from the world’s standards to God’s kingdom. He invites us all to immigrate away from self-focus, and to become loyal citizens of His kingdom — to change from self-authority to God’s authority! Jesus tore down the wall & invites whosoever will, to immigrate to God’s kingdom. Ephesians 2:13-14
The kingdom of God occurs when we cross the border from self-rule to Christ-control. Let King Jesus be the ruler of your heart — your inner Head of state. Does the kingdom of God have your heart & your greatest allegiance?
Christ-followers are called to follow Jesus, not to follow our own desires. We are called to cruise on Christ-control, not to be controlled by cravings. To surrender to & obey the risen Jesus is to enter the kingdom of God.
Read the Bible not just to learn, but also to experience Jesus like His disciples did! Read it to learn to how live in God’s kingdom by following and obeying Jesus daily.
