God has given each believer a position in the Kingdom to be occupied, but very few function in it. Many are passively waiting for Jesus’s return and have become inactive whilst doing so.
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Have you heard the statement “wait for Jesus, He is coming back”. When I hear the word ‘wait’, I automatically think about stopping in my tracks and standing there until the person that told me to wait tells me to move again. I think similarly, it is quite easy to interpret this word wait as a passive and inactive word.
Both the Hebrew and Greek translation of the English word ‘wait’ is a verb. Thus, signifying that to wait for Jesus’ return is an activity and a state of being.
As believers, we are to eagerly expect the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. But in the meantime do we passively look at the sky, watching for any sign of His coming and remain inactive. Or do we use the time we have on Earth wisely and for His glory?
Jesus has ascended to heaven and is sitting at the right hand of the Father. Jesus Christ is King and we are citizens of His Kingdom. He has given each citizen a position in the Kingdom, an assignment given by God to advance the Kingdom on Earth and edify the Ekklesia.
The question is, are you occupying your position in the Kingdom or are you loitering aimlessly and purposelessly?
If you want to occupy your position and fulfill your assignment, you have to follow these four steps:
- Repent
- Perspective
- Believe
- Act/ Do in faith
Repent
Revelation 2:5: Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
A 180° change has to take place both in heart and mind. Repentance is needed if you stray from Godliness and anytime sin occurs. Before you can occupy your position in the kingdom you have to repent from sin, inactivity and unbelief. A heart surrendered to the Lord cannot be used.
Perspective
Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Ephesians 4:23: and be renewed in the spirit of your mind.
A mind un-renewed is easily tossed to and fro. The process of sanctification is the conforming of the believer to the God image. The mind includes intellect, thoughts, beliefs and patterns of behaviour. These are what have to be renewed, changed and transformed into the mind of Christ (to His intellect, His thoughts, beliefs, and patterns of behaviour). The renewal process begins with meditating on God’s word.
Believe
Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Belief is the prerequisite of faith and we must believe what we read from the scriptures. You have to believe that God has called you, will use you and has given you the ability to accomplish His will.
Faith
Romans 10:17: So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
James 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
God’s Kingdom will not be advanced by just repenting, changing of perspective or believing, unless action accompanies belief which equals faith. First, repent from sin, unbelief, disobedience and inactivity. Then make efforts to engage with scripture, for the renewing of your mind. Believe the word God has said and then take action as we are a solution to a problem and are called and created to fill a need. With a resolute attitude, much can be accomplished.
You may think that occupying in His Kingdom cannot be as simple as these four steps. Well, I would say these steps are the bare minimum needed to begin to accomplish God’s will on Earth. It is important that we do not see obedience as complicated or only for the special few. Every born-again believer is meant to function purposefully in the Kingdom of God. Be rest assured, you are not alone! Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
