The State of the World

The systems around the world are not and were never designed to bring justice, equal opportunities, or fairness to humanity. Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve humanity has lived under governmental structures designed and influenced by Satan and the powers of darkness. I call this temporary system the Matrix, as it is fixed on maintaining a veil over the hearts and minds of humanity. This is done to oppress and prevent people from experiencing the Kingdom of God. 

None of us should be surprised by crazy politics, injustices, unthinkable crimes and the other evils that are prevalent around the world. This should be expected out a system designed by Satan and his evil cohorts. Living in the matrix is to live in world where people walk around as though God does not exist. Too many people are more devoted to their own pleasure, love of self, and pursuit of happiness than they are in pursuing relationship with God (2Timothy 3:4). This engine of self-gratification is in direct opposition to the lifestyles found within the Kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 4:4 tell us that Satan himself is the god of this world, meaning he is chief designer and influencer of the worlds systems of government, education, policing and so much more. Furthermore, In John 8:44 Jesus tells us Satan is a murderer and a liar in fact he’s called the father of lies. This means we have a murdering liar as the architect of the world systems of operating. As believers, we need to be reprogrammed. Our minds need to be renewed by the word of God, so we live and respond differently to the world around us. We are told to arm ourselves with the mind of Christ in otherwise let this mind be in you which was found in Christ.  WHAT IS THE MIND OF CHRIST?

Ephesians 6:12 says we are up against the rulers of darkness of this world. There is no escaping what I call the Matrix. A make-believe world where God does not exist and is not involved in the affairs of humanity. The Invisible powers of darkness combined with unrepentant humanity has cast a cloud over all the earth. Isaiah 25:7 refers to it as a veil that is spread over all nations, he calls it a cloud of gloom that hangs over the earth. Let me be crystal clear on this there is only one way to remove the veil and escape the matrix. Look at 2 Corinthians 3:16 It tells us “whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away” (NIV). A move towards Christ is necessary to see past the veil and experience life outside of the Matrix.  

What does all this mean for the person that loves the Lord and wants to reflect his glory in this life. If you desire to shine as a light in a dark place you need to  embrace the idea that we are not of this world. In John 17:16 Jesus states, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it” what did he really mean by that? Look at Colossians 1:13 where we are told “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.”  This transference is not physical. We like Christ at the time when he made that statement about not being of this world was physically in this world. A dramatic paradigm shift takes place during the born-again process. As our eyes, ears and our total essence can now live life under the dictates found within the kingdom of God.

I call this living in a world within a world. The world we see with our natural eyes and experience with our physical body lies behind a veil, within  the Matrix. Then we have an unseen world which is as real as the physical world we see every day.  However, this world consists primarily of holy angels, Satan, demons, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and of course the kingdom of God with the Father of all humanity. As followers of Christ we have dual citizenship, Philippians 3:20, states “Our citizenship is in heaven-this provides the followers an alternate way to experience this life until the physical kingdom of God descends from above. 

We must not forget that our heavenly citizenship is greater than our earthly citizenship as our heavenly citizenship has eternal implications while our natural citizenship on earth is brief. As believers we are first citizens within the kingdom of God. This is a big paradigm shift as we ultimately submit to the authority of God above everything else. In this paradigm, Jesus is our King, and we live and die in obedience to Him.  Adoption into a new family is not an easy process in the natural realm and it’s not a smooth transition in spiritual realm either. Although being part of the Royal family of God comes with many benefits and privileges, persecution, hate, and spiritual attacks are going to be rule not the exception.

I want to share a few passages of scripture that clearly define Kingdom living verses earthly living. The response mechanism found in these passages illustrates how a believer is in this world but not of this world.

Consider the currents state of the Matrix or the world we live in. Societies across the world are manipulated and overrun with conspiracies and fear mongering. It appears that negativity, doubt, fear, and hate are the standards of the day. A constant diet of bad news, negativity, death, and destruction create a world where its citizens are forced to live with very high levels of depression, worry, stress, anxiety, and self-hate. With suicide and pharmacology at epidemic levels. No real solutions exist outside of the Kingdom of God.

Contrast this with how followers react to the same crazy, demonic environment.  We can capture a good picture of how the follower of Christ is to experience this world. This illustrates the benefits of having dual citizenship under the kingdom of God. Pslam 112:1-7 reads as follows:

Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands. 2 Their children will be mighty in the land;. 3 Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever 4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright. 7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. 

Psalm 112:7 which states “They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast trusting in the Lord.

Furthermore, in Isaiah 8:12 we can find what I call the Believers Mantra- “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.  As followers of Christ living under the stress, fear, and worry of this world is so unnecessary. Now you’re not automatically going to have stress free life by becoming a follower of Christ. However, our response to the worlds negativity should not have the same effect on our lives. As we can experience peace during the storms. Not the kind of peach this world talks about with pharmacology, entertainment, and the wild pursuit of things. As citizen in Gods Kingdom, we possess peace the passes all understanding and will guard our hearts and minds.

 I will briefly share (6) key concepts needed for you to begin live this life with Kingdom principles.

1. John 3:3 Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

2. Matthew 13:11 To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 

3. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 

4. Luke 17:21 Behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you 

5. Romans 14:17 the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 

6. 1 Corinthians 4:20 The Kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power/ability