-John 3:3
Did you wake up today seeing the Kingdom of God?
Saul was hot on the trail of Jesus followers. It didn’t matter where they ran or hid. It didn’t matter if they left Jerusalem and fled as far as Damascus - 300km/200mi away. Saul had their scent and was hunting them down as judge, jury, and executioner (see Acts 7:58).
Recanting wasn’t an option. They’d encountered Messiah, the risen Christ. Immanuel wasn’t a bedtime story invented for cultural pacification or religious ethics.
The false reality sin and Satan had erected was undone. The illusion. The props. The curtains. The stage - all exposed for the vile pretense, the affront and abomination, they are against God our Creator. No “red pill” option available.
On the way to more persecutions and murders “justified” under the auspice of religious zeal, something happened to Saul, changing both the trajectory of his terrestrial sojourn and eternal residence:
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples… As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me…” Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus…
Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized… Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”
-from Acts 9
There’s no talk, explicit or implied, of "personal salvation" or "decisions for Jesus" in Acts 9. Instead, there’s mention of “The Lord’s disciples,” those belonging to “The Way.”
There’s mention of perseverance and multiplication despite persecution and murder. There’s Jesus telling Saul and Ananias what they must do for Him. There’s no talk of earthly prosperity, material wealth or physical health - but talk instead of obedience and suffering for His Name.
There’s talk of the Holy Spirit’s filling, of scales falling, of baptism, of humility, of radical transformation, of strong opposition, of boldness and courage in proclaiming the Gospel, of edification and encouragement throughout the Church, and the literal seeing of the Kingdom in the present - and participating in it.
In John’s Gospel it’s revealed that becoming a child of God isn’t a human thing in the least, but rather an external, transcendent, and supernatural act of the Holy Spirit:
“But to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of blood, nor the desire or the will of man, but born of God.”
-John 1:12-13
"Truly I tell you, unless someone is born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
"Truly I tell you, unless someone is born-again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… For that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."
-John 3:3;6
When we are truly born-again by the Spirit of God, we are no longer who we once were. We are no longer captives of sin, shame, and death.
We are no longer selfish narcissists and personal glory-seekers consumed by our addictions to mammon and flesh. When the Spirit comes we are remade in Christ - not for health, wealth, and personal blessings, but for His glory, His name, and His Kingdom.
Born-again means a new, immediate, and active reality. It’s as true for us as for Saul - the great missionary, New Testament writer, and Apostle known as Paul. It means courage and perseverance in the face of opposition and persecution - today. It means an unquenchable passion to hear His voice to teach and bless transgressors - today.
It means a desperate dependency for the Spirit’s filling and leading in every thought and every step - today. It means baptism straight away - not for salvation, but as a testimony of immediate obedience and eternal identification.
It means radical transformation from who we once were into who God always intended and created us to be - today. It means His Kingdom isn’t an idyllic or delayed promise for tomorrow but an active and present reality in the now. It means those born-again immediately “see the Kingdom of God” through new eyes with the scales rebellion removed.
It means seeing others with the eyes of Christ’s grace and love, whom, by His blood purchased us from every tribe, language, people, and nation. It means advancing the Kingdom for His Name’s sake regardless of the cost - today.
That’s what the Bible has to say about those who are born-again - those who see His Kingdom presently, who are personally, passionately, intimately invested and involved - doing as a result of seeing - and seeing as a result of being.
Did you wake up today seeing and serving the Kingdom of God - or yours? Therefore, are you born-again by your definition or His?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers!”
-Matthew 7:21-23
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
When we are truly born-again by the Spirit of God, we are no longer who we once were. We are no longer captives of sin, shame, and death.
We are no longer selfish narcissists and personal glory-seekers consumed by our addictions to mammon and flesh. When the Spirit comes we are remade in Christ - not for health, wealth, and personal blessings, but for His glory, His name, and His Kingdom.
Born-again means a new, immediate, and active reality. It’s as true for us as for Saul - the great missionary, New Testament writer, and Apostle known as Paul. It means courage and perseverance in the face of opposition and persecution - today. It means an unquenchable passion to hear His voice to teach and bless transgressors - today.
It means a desperate dependency for the Spirit’s filling and leading in every thought and every step - today. It means baptism straight away - not for salvation, but as a testimony of immediate obedience and eternal identification.
It means radical transformation from who we once were into who God always intended and created us to be - today. It means His Kingdom isn’t an idyllic or delayed promise for tomorrow but an active and present reality in the now. It means those born-again immediately “see the Kingdom of God” through new eyes with the scales rebellion removed.
It means seeing others with the eyes of Christ’s grace and love, whom, by His blood purchased us from every tribe, language, people, and nation. It means advancing the Kingdom for His Name’s sake regardless of the cost - today.
That’s what the Bible has to say about those who are born-again - those who see His Kingdom presently, who are personally, passionately, intimately invested and involved - doing as a result of seeing - and seeing as a result of being.
Did you wake up today seeing and serving the Kingdom of God - or yours? Therefore, are you born-again by your definition or His?
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you evildoers!”
-Matthew 7:21-23
Blessings,
-Kevin M. Kelley
aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com
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