Is it possible... that many people today are under the impression that they have been ‘born again’... but are not? I’ll explain here why... in a moment.

There are only two kingdoms that we should be concerned about: the kingdom of ‘light’ and the kingdom of ‘darkness’; and you cannot live in both of them. (2 Cor. 6:14)

For those who are truly abiding in Jesus (John 15:1-5; 1 John 2:6; 3:6), it can be said they were “once in darkness, but now are light in the Lord”...and are commanded to ‘walk as children to the light” (Eph. 5:8) These are the ones who are ‘cleansed by the blood of Jesus’ (1 John 1:7) and have been ‘delivered from the power of darkness’ (Col. 1:13; Acts 26:18). Oh, one other thing: their ‘fruit’ will be evident to all (John 13:34-35; Matt. 7:20). They also ‘keep the commandments of God...” (Rev. 12:17; 1 Cor. 7:19; John 15:10-12)

Did I mention we can’t have both feet in the two kingdoms at the same time? This is because you can only serve one master (Matt.6:24; Josh. 24:15; 1 Kings 18:21)

Would you take a moment and read 1 Pet.1:13-17 for clarification as to how those who are serving Jesus...walk like and conduct themselves. Peter even adds that we are to do this ...”throughout the time of our stay here”...suggesting strongly that we are only ‘passing through’ this life/world. (1 Pet. 2:11)

Over the years when I have had the privilege to travel to different places, it’s not uncommon to hear the attendant at a hotel desk ‘wish me well’ with a comment similar to Peter’s... ’during the time of my stay here’. The implication is clear...I’m not there to take up permanent residence in their hotel as I’m only abiding there for a limited time. I’m there to either conduct business or do some sightseeing and I can assure you ...the last thing I will be doing while visiting that city is getting drawn into or preoccupied with the politics and drama that may be happening in that city. Hence, my theme here the past few days that maybe we can be tempted to get drawn in to the wrong ‘kingdom’.

Why do you think Paul would have instructed us to “set your mind on things above, not... on things of the earth?” (Col. 3:2). Did Jesus not tell us that while we may be ‘in the world, we are not of... the world’? (John 15:19; 17:16). And if we want to be free from worry and anxiety over the ‘cares of this world’, then maybe we should put into practice what Jesus told us to do...which was to ‘seek first... the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness...’ (Matt. 6:33).

But before we do that, it might help to have a little more understanding as to what His kingdom even looks like...let alone have more understanding as to what it’s about. And as usual...all I know to do is direct your attention back to God’s word...

When Jesus first arrived on the scene to begin His earthly ministry, (which was preceded by the testing of His heart in the wilderness -Matt. 4:1-11), His message was loud and clear: “Repent...for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matt. 4:17)

We then read how Jesus ‘went about all Galilee...teaching...and preaching the gospel of the kingdom...” (Matt. 4:23) and you might continue reading there what He also did as well for all those who heard His message (23-25).

Interestingly...John the Baptist has already begun to lay the groundwork for this message, as he too...came preaching the ‘kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matt. 3:2); and the message of ‘repentance’ was just as loud and clear: ”Repent!...and bear fruits worthy of repentance ...and every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matt. 3:3,8,10)

Any student of the Bible should be able to acknowledge though...that this message of the ‘kingdom’ was a challenging one for the people to wrap their heads around, as it seems to be the same today. We always want to look at it through the ‘natural’ eyes, or mind as if it was a ‘physical’ kingdom, which Paul was quick to dispel –“... for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14:17)

Jesus tried His best to get this message through the heads of those who followed Him, reminding them regularly...”My kingdom is not of this world!” (John 18:36). What part about ‘not of this world’ do we have a hard time understanding?

Do you recall what Jesus told Nicodemus, the renowned Pharisee...who came to Jesus privately and admitted: “We know you are a teacher come from God” (John 3:1-2)? Jesus begins with this assurance: “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

We humans have proven time and time again...unless we can ‘see with our eyes and touch with our hands’ (remember Thomas?)...that we can be slow to grasp what God is trying to communicate to us. The majority of those who were drawn to Jesus during His brief stay here were constantly under the impression that Jesus came to deliver them from the of the oppression of the Roman Empire who occupied their land back in that day. Nothing could be further from the truth. And despite three years of teaching and preaching, do you remember what was asked of Jesus just before He ascended back into heaven? – “Lord... will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). If there was ever a time when Jesus was ready to have a ‘face to palm’ moment...this would have been the time.

That is why I suggest many have not truly been ‘born again’...because they seem to have a hard time truly ‘seeing’...what God’s kingdom is all about. I have a hunch that back when Jesus was teaching...that someone could have sold a lot of hats that read: “MIGA” which stands for: “Make Israel Great Again”!