Principles of Kingdom Culture
Before we became saved, we lived and operated in the culture of this world (the kingdom of darkness). But, upon our salvation, we were translated into the kingdom of God (the kingdom of light).
Life in the kingdom of God has a particular design, a set of standards, and a predetermined set of outcomes put together by God for our lives. Webster’s dictionary defines culture as the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes a group of people.
Does the kingdom of God have a distinctive, normative culture? Absolutely, it does!
Having been translated into the kingdom of God requires us to learn an entirely new culture that is based on God's way of doing things. Often times, we think we can live in our old way of doing things, and yet somehow expect God's promises to manifest even though we are unwilling to adopt a new culture. The kingdom of this world is a dark system, so as a result, we are constantly going through a change in the software of our minds to line our way with God's way.
Let's take a look at Mark chapter 5.
Jesus takes His apostles across the Sea of Galilee and He purposefully goes to the back of the ship and sleeps. As the storm arises, the apostles become fearful and expose the culture from which they are operating from. The storm has one purpose - to stop Jesus from going to the other side to demonstrate the kingdom of God. Although, we are now translated into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of darkness is still at work attempting to prevent us from doing what we are called to do through the strategy of fear.
Jesus came to set us free, but we can’t experience the purpose Jesus came for without understanding that there’s a culture that we have to work with to experience what He desires for us. We have to be taught by the power of Holy Spirit and then practice it to become citizens worthy of our citizenship.
Continuing in the book of Mark, Jesus returns from the sea and Jairus comes and falls on his knees seeking Jesus to heal his daughter, (which indicates a desire need for a miracle). Jesus had compassion and went with him. As Jesus is about to see Jairus’ daughter of 12 years old, He is approached by a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years. (The contrast between these two situations is that Jairus was a man welcomed daily into the temple, and the woman has been banned from going into the temple.) Jesus is enroute to heal the young girl, and he stops to heal the woman, when suddenly Jairus’ servants come to tell him not to bother anymore, his daughter is dead. How many of us find ourselves in situations where we’re fighting, contending, and praying for a miracle to happen, but it just doesn’t seem like it’s happening.
In the kingdom of God, delay is not denial. Jesus knows exactly where you’re at; you will never catch Him by surprise.There are some things that ONLY God can take you through.
In order to live a lifestyle in the kingdom of God, we must adhere to the principles and precepts of the kingdom of God so that we can continue to renew our minds and adopt the culture that Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6:10, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
6 Principles of Kingdom Culture:
Do not be afraid. In the kingdom of God, it is entirely possible to live a life free from fear. When you’re believing God for something, you must know that the enemy will come in to put pressure on you and cause you to feel fear. When negative things come in, you have to stand strong and refuse to fear.
Only believe. You can have unbelief, and yet not be afraid, which is a result of not caring. To believe, is to acknowledge that God's ways are your reality, even if what you see in the natural has not manifested yet.
Surround yourself with positive people. People that are interested in your success, believe in you, and speak positive words into your life.
Kick out negative people. Not everyone who sounds godly is godly. People who complain, do so under an air of godly terminology. What is our approach when there is something that needs fixing? Are you the kind of person who fixes what is happening, or just complains and spreads gossip? We cannot afford to keep negative people around us.
Speak life. That is the language of the kingdom of God.
Feed your miracle. We can be on the edge of our miracle happening, but forget that we need to continue to feed it. How do you feed and sustain your miracle? Give to others as you have also received.
