CHAPTER 2 – The KINGDOM of GOD CONTRASTED to the “kingdom(s) of the world.”

From my book, “The Mystery of the Kingdoms Revealed – PART I” I will recap these two kingdoms – the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God/heaven and the physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world.” In PART II, I will put these two kingdoms into their proper perspective in the daily lives of us New Testament Christians.

The basic difference between these two kingdoms is they are really diametrically opposed to each other in their origins and their eternal purposes. The Kingdom of God is an eternal – without beginning and without end – spiritual supernatural Kingdom – a Kingdom that is the original home of the Godhead and their Throne in the third heaven and later a home for God’s created angels. All truly “Born Again” Christians are also NOW seated with Christ on His Throne in His Kingdom, and we believe that we will live with God and His angels for the rest of eternity.

Up and through the present time and place in history, the Kingdom of God has been spiritually represented by “Eden the Garden of God” in the third heaven, and physically represented on earth by the “Garden of Eden.” Jesus Christ is the very embodiment/personification of this Kingdom! Where He is, there It is with Him!

At the present time, the Kingdom of God is a “spiritual {/nonphysical} supernatural{/nonearthly}” Kingdom meaning that It is not visible and is illusive – It does NOT have a fixed place here on earth at this time. But the Kingdom of God is spiritually present individually in each Saint and spiritually present corporately in Christ’s Bride Church here on earth as we live in the temporary “kingdom(s) of the world” under the auspices of its god – Satan.

The Kingdom of God will physically manifest Itself at Christ’s Second Coming in the form of the city of New Jerusalem which will be the home God and of Christ’s adopted children for 1000 years. Satan who is bound during this 1000 years will be released after this time and there will be another period of God’s Judgment upon Christ’s children, and then Christ will give back to His Father everything that He inherited from before time and creation began including whoever remains of His adopted children.

The “kingdom(s) of the world” are of a very different origin. There are NO scriptures in the entire Bible which specifically state that the “kingdom(s) of the world” are created entities! There are NO scriptures in the entire Bible which specifically state that GOD originally created/brought forth the physical humanistic secular kingdoms and nations of the world EXCEPT FOR ONE NATION which is Israel and its Jewish People!

If the kingdoms/nations of the world are NOT created and IF God did NOT originally create them, then how did the concept of the kingdoms and nations form and come into being? Satan – the age old serpent, the Devil – has approximately 40 names some of which are – “the deceiver, the accuser, the father of lies, the tempter, murderer, the evil genius, the evil one, the god of this world. the prince of the air, the ruler of this age, etc.” If you put his characteristics together with his names, we begin to get a picture of a spiritual being that is very intelligent, cunning, ruthless, seeking to obtain the position of power to be the supreme god and ruler of a kingdom/nation.

Lucifer/Satan was an extremely magnificent, intelligent, and gifted angel of God. But God discerned sin in Lucifer’s mind-set and spiritual heart and cast him and 1/3 of the angels who were of the SAME mind-set and spiritual heart to the earth.
Satan coerced Cain {whom I believe to be demon possessed} to have the same mind-set and spiritual heart to outright reject God’s Grace and Providence for him to become a wanderer in the Land of Nod.

Cain put down “roots of seeming permanency” in the Land of Nod by starting to build a city for him, his family, and many other anti-God followers. Next came Nimrod with the same mind-set and spiritual heart as Satan and Cain who put together cities to form the first “kingdom(s) of the world” with him as its king. This all occurred BEFORE God called forth Abram and created the nation of Israel with its people – the Jews. Abram/Abraham is called the “father of our faith” for good reason. It was because of his steadfast faith in his walk with God as part of a wandering remnant through this Land of Nod that is an example for us and leads us to “TODAY.”

The following paragraphs encapsulates this teaching! Again, there are NO scriptures in the entire Bible which specifically state that GOD originally created/brought forth the physical humanistic secular kingdoms and nations of the world EXCEPT FOR ONE NATION which is Israel and its Jewish People!

Jesus Christ is credited in Hebrews 1:2 with receiving the authority from God the Father to be the creator of all things in heaven and on the earth as stated in John 1:3 and Colossians 1:16.
Hebrews 1:2 [But] in the last of these days He {God the Father} has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son {God the Son}, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order]. AMP
John 1:3 “All things were made through Him {the Word}, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” NKJV
Colossians 1:16 For by Him {Jesus Christ} all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. NKJV

There are those who include another Scripture that supports the thought that God the Son created everything there is in creation, but some translations state that God creates darkness and evil. Does this mean that God created sin or that He creates physical calamity? Is God evil? Is He like man? Is He a liar? Is He a sinner? Or is He a “holy and righteous” God?
Isaiah 45:7 {God the Son speaking} I form the light and create darkness, I make peace [national well-being] and I create [physical] evil (calamity); I am the Lord, Who does all these things. AMP {I believe much of the physical calamity that God creates on the earth is caused by His controlling of the weather.}
Job 37:9-13 Out of its chamber {heaven} comes the whirlwind {hurricanes, tornadoes}, and cold from the scattering winds. 10 By the breath of God ice is given, and the breadth of the waters is frozen over. [Ps 147:17, 18.] 11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture; He scatters the cloud of His lightning. 12 And it {the weather} is turned round about by His guidance {God’s Providence}, that they may do whatever He commands them upon the face of the habitable earth. 13 Whether it be for correction {by severe storms to realign His creation} or for His earth {to sustain His creation} [generally] or for His mercy and loving-kindness {showering His grace upon the inhabitants of His creation}, He causes it to come. [Ex 9:18, 23; 1 Sam 12:18, 19.] AMP
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good? AMP
Titus 1:2 [Resting] in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, NKJV
John 8:44 {Jesus speaking} You {men} are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false. AMP
Joshua 24:19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord {because you desire to serve foreign gods}, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” NKJV
Psalms 7:9 Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the just; For the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. NKJV

The above Scriptures are certainly VERY clear in what they state about God the Son/Jesus Christ and His character as being the Creator of ALL things including the weather and the natural disasters that it can bring and what and where these things are located and their purpose – {paraphrased} “Nothing has been made/ created that Jesus Christ did NOT make/create. All created things that were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” IT CANNOT BE ANY CLEARER THAN THIS!!!

I know these Scriptures contradict what I stated above, and I need to address that contradiction. PLEASE think about what they mean when they say that Christ created everything. It is TRUE that He created/made everything that has been created/made in creation, BUT the question that must be asked, “Is there anything that exists in creation that He did NOT create?” The answer to this question is “YES – SIN!” Sin came through a God created angel – Lucifer/Satan – contaminating God’s “Very Good” creation from its beginning. Next question, “Because God created Lucifer, did He take responsibility for the sin that is in the universe?” The answer to this question is “YES!” God foreknew that sin would come into the universe because He provided a Savior from BEFORE time began.
1 John 3:8 [But] he who commits sin [who practices evildoing] is of the devil [takes his character from the evil one], for the devil has sinned (violated the divine law) from the beginning. The reason the Son of God was made manifest (visible) was to undo (destroy, loosen, and dissolve) the works the devil [has done]. AMP
1 Peter 1:20 It is true that He {Christ the Messiah} was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before the foundation of the world, but He was brought out to public view (made manifest) in these last days (at the end of the times) for the sake of you. AMP

Let me ask another question, “Is there anything else that exists on the earth that God did NOT create?” The answer is “YES!” Again, I will make the statement that there are NO Scriptures that specifically claim that God created or made ANY of the physical kingdoms/nations of the world except for the Nation of Israel and Its people. Therefore, “Is God responsible for the kingdoms/nations of the world?” I believe the answer to this question clearly indicates God’s Sovereignty and Providence over the entirety of all things located in the heavens and on the earth. While God did not create the kingdoms/nations of the world, He did create the peoples who created the nations, and He does maintain complete Sovereignty/ authority over their governments! God CANNOT allow Satan to run amok because of his spiritual heart and spiritual mind are always set on wickedness/evil! I do NOT believe that Satan has authority to do whatever he desires! He is required to “check in” with God.
Romans 13:1-5 LET EVERY person be loyally subject to the governing (civil) authorities {within all of the kingdoms/nations of the world}. For there is no authority except from God [by His permission, His sanction], and those {governing authorities} that exist do so by God’s appointment. [Prov 8:15.] AMP
Job 2:1 AGAIN THERE was a day when the sons of God [the angels] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and the accuser) came also among them to present himself before the Lord. AMP

I must include two Scriptures that state that God would make a nation of Ishmael the son of Hagar and Abraham. I believe that God has to create a “people” FIRST for them to form their own kingdom/nation. To my way of thinking and believing, Genesis 21:13, 18 should read “people” rather than nation.
Genesis 21:13 {God speaking to Abraham} And I will make a nation of the son {Ishmael} of the bondwoman also, because he is your offspring. AMP
Genesis 21:18 {Angel of the Lord speaking to Hagar} Arise, raise up the youth {Ishmael} and support him with your hand, for I {God} intend to make him a great nation. AMP
Genesis 16:10 Also the Angel of the Lord said to her {Hagar}, I will multiply your descendants exceedingly {through Ishmael}, so that they shall not be numbered for multitude. AMP

Because of the contradiction between what I believe that the ONLY nation that God created was Israel and the Scriptures from Genesis 21:13, 18 stating that God was going to “make a nation” of Ishmael, I emailed the Lockman Foundation who are the translators for The Amplified Bible and The New American Standard Bible for clarification. Following is their response:

“Thank you for contacting The Lockman Foundation and for using the NASB.  Your question was sent to our editorial department and here is the response:
“The term “nation” is the prevailing translation of the Hebrew word {“gowy” – Strong’s OT 1471} (used over 500 times in the NASB), which basically refers to the population {people} of a geographic territory. So actually the Hebrew {“gowy”} is the normal term for all the other nations exclusive of Israel, though of course Israel is called a “nation” as well. There is a different Hebrew word that it is normally translated “people” (5971a), referring mainly to those who are related by blood. In Gen 21:13 the translators were following the normal practice of translating the Hebrew (1471) as “nation,” not taking into account matters of interpretation {meaning the words of the translation may not reflect the correct teaching}.”
Their response indicates to me the translators acknowledge that God did NOT create the kingdoms/nations of the world EXCEPT for Israel! That being said,
there are several other Scriptures to support this truth.

When Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain in the world and showed Him all of the physical “kingdom(s) of the world” and claimed them as his, and that he could give them to whomever he wanted, Jesus did NOT rebuke him nor claim them as His!
Matthew 4:8-10 Again, the devil took Him {Jesus} up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them. 9And he {Satan} said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You {Satan was BRAGGING about his possession of the “kingdom(s) of the world!” He could NOT offer to give something that he did NOT possess to anyone!}, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me {Satan was literally rubbing his possession of the “kingdom(s) of the world” in the Creator’s face by demanding that Christ worship him!}. 10Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve. {Jesus did NOT rebuke him about his claim of possessing the kingdoms of the world! But instead He reaffirmed God’s written command that all of God’s creation including Satan are to worship and serve God ALONE.} [Deut 6:13.] AMP

Scripture also states that the WHOLE “kingdom(s) of the world” EXCEPT for those Saints who belong to God and His Kingdom are under Satan’s influence.
1 John 5:19 We know [positively] that we {true Christians} are of God, and the whole {kingdom(s) of the} world [around us] is under the power of the evil one. AMP

Scripture also shares with us that at Christ’s Second Coming, somehow the “kingdom(s) of the world” will come into the possession of Christ and become part of the Kingdom of God from which He will reign forever.
Revelation 11:15 The seventh angel then blew [his] trumpet, and there were mighty voices in heaven, shouting, The dominion (sovereignty, rule, “kingdom[s]) of the world” has now come into the possession and become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ (the Messiah), and He shall reign forever and ever (for the eternities of the eternities)! [Ps 22:28; Dan 7:13,14,27.] AMP

Now, I pray that I can put these two kingdoms – the physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world” and the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God/heaven into their proper perspective in the daily lives of us New Testament Christians.

The Bible commands ALL truly “Born Again” Christians NOT to “love this world nor the things of it” BUT rather FIRST seek God’s spiritual supernatural Kingdom and His righteousness {BOTH your thinking and actions of your life should now reflect His Kingdom}. The following Scriptures reveal to us the focus of our lives BOTH in the physical secular realm and in the spiritual supernatural realm.
1 John 2:15 Stop loving this evil world {“kingdom(s) of the world”} and all that it offers you, for when you love these things you show that you do not really love God; TLB
Matthew 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom {of God} and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. AMP

I must include that the predestined “works” of God for the truly “Born Again” Saint in the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God are revealed through the proper interpolation of Jesus’ Parables.
Google and click on www.mysteryworldview.com This brings up my Home Page. Go to the right side to “Please Select a Book.” Click on #2 “The Mystery of Properly Interpolating the Parables Revealed” and read about OUR works for God as Christ taught in His Parables. Our works is to “bear fruit that lasts/win sinners to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. AMP
John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last {The ONLY part of man that is eternal is one’s spirit}. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name {What a “promise” to you for being a “soul winner!”}. NIV
Zechariah 12:1 This is the word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the spirit of man within him {at his conception}, declares: NIV
Ecclesiastes 12:7 {When a person dies} Then shall the dust [out of which God made man’s body] return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it {for judgment}. AMP
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. NIV
Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise {soul winners} will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead {disciple} many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. NIV
Matthew 13:43 Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God {soul winners who lead the new convert in justification and then into sanctification}) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing. {Faith comes by hearing the “Word of God.” Romans 10:17} [Dan 12:3.] AMP

Why is it SO important to be able to discern between these two kingdoms? There is an old Christian adage that simply says, “That while we must live in the world, we are NOT to become part of it.” Jesus commands us to seek God’s SPIRITUAL Kingdom the FIRST thing we do upon being redeemed. He reiterates this in teaching us how to pray to His Father. He wants us to start doing this NOW!!!
Matthew 6:33 {Jesus commands us} But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right {which is diametrically opposed to the way we used to do things in the “kingdom(s) of the world}), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides {He will reward you with physical AND spiritual blessings and anointing!}. AMP
Matthew 6:9-10, 13 Jesus said, “Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven {in the third heaven on His throne}, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. 10 Your {spiritual supernatural} kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven {now here on earth “TODAY”}.
13 {Heavenly Father} And lead (bring) us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one {Satan and his temporary “kingdom(s) of the world”}. For Yours is {NOW the eternal spiritual supernatural} kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. AMP

This means that as God begins to reveal Himself and His spiritual supernatural Kingdom to us and our spiritual supernatural “ONENESS” with Him, the words of an old Christian hymn will become a reality in that “the things of earth will grow strangely dim” from the hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” The physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world” and the things of it will become less and less and less and less meaningful and of priority while Jesus Christ and His spiritual supernatural Kingdom increasingly will become the very foundation and focus on which we build our whole life!

This is a “hard teaching” for us “hard headed secularly and worldly minded” Christians, but this growing less {humbling ourselves before God and each other} is the principle that MUST be reflected in our lives. This happens as we mature in our faith! John says, “He {Jesus Christ} must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so {as I mature in my faith}.]” [Isa 9:7.] John 3:30 AMP {Hence the popular Christian logo – HE>i}
1 Corinthians 3:1-11 {Paul speaking} HOWEVER, BRETHREN, I could not talk to you as to spiritual [men], but as to nonspiritual [men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates], as to mere infants [in the new life] in Christ [unable to talk yet!] 2I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it], 3For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary {physical} impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men? {This is the major dilemma within those claiming to be Christians “TODAY” – our double mindedness. One part of our mind in the physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world” and maybe another part in the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God.}
4For when one says, I belong to Paul, and another, I belong to Apollos, are you not [proving yourselves] ordinary (unchanged) men? 5What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Ministering servants [not heads of {political} parties] through whom you believed, even as the Lord appointed to each his task: 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase. 7So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal (one in aim, of the same importance and esteem), yet each shall receive his own reward (wages), according to his own labor.
9For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, laborers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building. [Isa 61:3.] 10According to the grace (the special endowment for my task) of God bestowed on me, like a skillful architect and master builder I laid [the] foundation, and now another [man] is building upon it. But let each [man] be careful how he builds upon it, 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is [already] laid, which is Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one). AMP

As we mature in our faith and become closer to God, this is the same way our priorities change from the physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world” and the things that they offer to the spiritual supernatural Kingdom of God and what He and It offers. This process of maturity/sanctification in our lives is lifelong which means that we MUST NOT give up on attaining God’s fullness for our lives because “By standing firm {in your faith} you will gain {everlasting} life.” (Luke 21:19) NIV
Ephesians 4:13-16 {We MUST continue} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. NIV
Philippians 1:6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. AMP
Colossians 1:10 That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit {By winning lost sinners to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.} in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition {of Him and His spiritual Kingdom}]. AMP
2 Timothy 3:17 So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. AMP
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. NIV

The above Scriptures tell us that God has three kinds of “work” for us to do – “work, good work, and work that produces fruit.” We all know that we have to “work” in the world to provide for ourselves, our family, and others.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 Even while we were still there with you, we gave you this rule: “He who does not work shall not eat.” 11 Yet we hear that some of you are living in laziness, refusing to work, and wasting your time in gossiping. 12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ we appeal to such people-we command them-to quiet down, get to work, and earn their own living. TLB
Ephesians 4:28 If anyone is stealing he must stop it and begin using those hands of his for honest work so he can give to others in need. TLB

BUT as we sift through the following Scriptures, we will go from our work in the physical secular world of getting married, producing a family, and providing housing and clothes and food which wears out and/or perishes for them. OR while we are about doing our work in the world are we also producing eternal spiritual fruit that pleases God the Father in His spiritual supernatural Kingdom? What realm do you find yourself working to produce fruit? Are YOU building your OWN physical secular “kingdom(s) of the world,” or are you winning lost sinners to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior to build God’s spiritual supernatural Kingdom here on earth – Christ’s Bride Church?
John 6:27-29 {Jesus talking to the people} Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes [in the using], but strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him. 28 They then said, What are we to do, that we may [habitually] be working the works of God? [What are we to do to carry out what God requires?] 29 Jesus replied, This is the work (service) that God asks of you: that you believe in the one Whom He has sent [that you cleave to, trust, rely on, and have faith in His Messenger {and share your testimony about Him with sinners to win them to Christ as their personal Savior}]. AMP
Luke 12:27-32 {Jesus speaking} Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith? 29 “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. 30 For all these things the nations {and the “kingdom(s)} of the world” seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. 32 “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom {of God}. NKJV
For my testimony of what my goal for MY kingdom was, Google www.mysteryworldview.com This brings up my Home Page. Go to the top row of icons and click on “My Testimony.”

We have gone from having “jobs/work” that provide physically nourishing food for our physical body, our family, and others – “food which perishes” – to producing “lasting food” that produces eternal life for our spirits with God in His Kingdom. In John 15 Jesus calls us to bear lasting fruit in our “Christian work” in the world so that our fruit may remain. I believe Jesus is telling us that He has chosen us to win “lost sinners” to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and then for us to disciple them to help them make Him their Lord God and Master.
John 15:16 {Jesus talking to His Disciples} You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you. AMP
Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise. NKJV
Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise {those who lead sinners to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior – justification} shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness {help teach new Christians to be in right relationship with God using the Bible by the leading of God the Holy Spirit – sanctification} Like the stars forever and ever. NKJV
Matthew 13:43 Then will the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God) shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let him who has ears [to hear] be listening, and let him consider and perceive and understand by hearing. [Dan 12:3.] AMP

Previously in this chapter, I shared that as a truly “Born Again” Christian we MUST know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, Lord God, and Master. I want to expand on this some more. We all know what it means for Jesus Christ to be our personal Savior, and as we attend church and Bible studies we can actually come to learn, to know, and to accept Him as Lord God in our lives – God the Son the Second Person of the Trinity, BUT to make Jesus the Master of our life is an entirely different matter. Because of our background with people {parents, spouses, relatives, bosses, bullies, etc.} who try to be our “masters,” we try our hardest to be the ONLY one who exercises human authority and control over our life. Our society teaches and calls for us as individuals not to bow to anyone or anything. This makes it extremely difficult for us to humble ourselves as Christians to allow Christ to become our “Master.” But His title as “Master” designates His right to command our obedience to Him as our Savior, Lord God, AND Master. This means that God is truly number ONE in your life in ALL things! This means for us to truly “die to self” – to humble ourselves in our worshiping and serving God and others. Where are you at in your “work” for Christ? Do you worship and serve Him or have you made something else in your life an “idol” in His place?
John 3:16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world {put your name to accept Him as your Savior or acknowledging your backsliding and asking His forgiveness _________________} that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. AMP
John 1:1-2 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself {The Word is God the Son}. [Isa 9:6.] 2 He {God the Son} was present originally with God {the Father AND God the Holy Spirit}. AMP
Matthew 23:10 And you must not be called masters (leaders), for you have one Master (Leader), the Christ {He is the ONLY one Who has absolute authority in our life that we should be following!}. AMP
Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new {spiritual} self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV
IDOL – “Perhaps the best definition of an idol is something we ourselves make into a god. It does not have to be a statue or a tree. It can be anything that stands between us and God or something we substitute for God.” (from Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Copyright © 1986)

As Christians we are engaged in a spiritual supernatural war that is seeking to control and destroy our minds and souls of our lives. This spiritual supernatural “war” does indeed affect our physical lives, but rather than “fight” the “old way,” we “fight” in a “new way” that gives us daily VICTORY in our battles.
John 10:10 The thief {Satan} comes only in order to steal {your salvation} and kill {your spirit} and destroy {My involvement in your life}. I {Jesus} came that they {My adopted children} may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows {in their lives}). AMP
Galatians 5:19-26 But when you follow your own wrong inclinations, your lives will produce these evil results: impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, 20 idolatry, spiritism (that is, encouraging the activity of demons), hatred and fighting, jealousy and anger, constant effort to get the best for yourself, complaints and criticisms, the feeling that everyone else is wrong except those in your own little group-and there will be wrong doctrine, 21 envy, murder, drunkenness, wild parties, and all that sort of thing. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control; and here there is no conflict with Jewish laws.
24 Those who belong to Christ have nailed their natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there. 25 If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Then we won’t need to look for honors and popularity, which lead to jealousy and hard feelings. TLB
2 Corinthians 10:2-5 I entreat you when I do come [to you] that I may not [be driven to such] boldness as I intend to show toward those few who suspect us of acting according to the flesh [on the low level of worldly motives and as if invested with only human powers]. 3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. 4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, 5[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing {common sense, reasoning, logic which are all demonic thinking} that sets itself up against the [true] {spiritual supernatural} knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed one), AMP

We become as Christian “soldiers” who are involved in this spiritual supernatural warfare. Scripture is very clear as to us having a warrior’s allegiance to our commanding officer {Jesus Christ} in this continuous spiritual supernatural battle always having the spiritual armor of God in place every day.
2 Timothy 2:3-4 Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one {Jesus Christ} who enlisted him {into the army of God}. AMP {Are YOU part of God’s army?}
1 Timothy 1:18 This charge and admonition I commit in trust to you {put your name _________________}, Timothy, my son, in accordance with prophetic intimations which I formerly received concerning you, so that inspired and aided by them you may wage the good warfare, AMP
Ephesians 6:10-18 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms {oppressors}, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly {spiritual} (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude {righteousness} and right standing with God, 15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa 52:7.] 16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. 18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people). AMP

Please do not think that God cannot or is not examining or searching or testing your mind-set and your spiritual heart! Make sure your mind-set is on things above and NOT the earth! Make sure that your spiritual heart is ready for God’s continual testing of us – are we going to continue in our sinful ways or are we going to be sources of light as we worship and service Him in His Kingdom.
Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the mind, I try the {spiritual} heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings. AMP
Jeremiah 11:20 But, O Lord of hosts, Who judges rightly and justly, Who tests the {spiritual} heart and the mind, let me see Your vengeance on them, for to You I have revealed and committed my cause [rolling it upon You]. AMP
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the glad tidings (the Gospel), so we speak not to please men but to please God, Who tests our {spiritual} hearts [expecting them to be approved]. AMP
Colossians 3:2-3 Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. 3 You should have as little desire for this {kingdom(s) of the} world as a dead person does. Your real life is in heaven with Christ and God {in His Kingdom}. TLB
1 Chronicles 28:9 And you {us Christians}, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] you will find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever! AMP
James 1:12-17 Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14 But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions). 15Then the evil desire, when it has conceived, gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured, brings forth death. 16 Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light,{…..and we are children of the light}. AMP
Ephesians 5:8 For once you {as a sinner} were darkness, but now you {as a child of God} are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light]. AMP