Forthright Magazine http://www.forthright.net Straight to the Cross Richard Mansel goes to the Bible to answer ... "The Most Important Question." Great for classes, groups, evangelistic studies and individuals. http://forthrightpress.com/#MostImportant COLUMN: LIVING THE FAITH Life in a Sanctified Kingdom (2) by Richard Mansel, managing editor When we enter the kingdom of our Lord, we come in through the door (John 10:9). We submit to the Lord and we have our sins washed away in the waters of baptism (Acts 2:39; 1 John 1:9). Christ then adds us to the Church (Acts 2:47). Because of this blood which Christ died for, we can have life everlasting (1 Corinthians 6:20). The church is the body of Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23) and when we live in this kingdom, we follow Christ. We seek to glorify him in all that we do (Ephesians 3:20- 21). When we submit to Christ for salvation, we are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit" (Romans 8;1, NKJV). Sanctification means that we are set apart from the world and we have a spiritual connection with God, as we live each day (Ephesians 4:1). We are no longer conformed to the world, but we are a new creation with a new focus (Romans 12:1). We no longer walk "according to the course of this world" (Ephesians 2:1). Fleshly desires do not regulate our lives. Satan's desires cease to be our standard (1 John 3:3). Our appetites are no longer carnal, but spiritual. We are in the kingdom because of Christ. Everything we do is to bring glory to him. We do his will and spread his Word (Matthew 28:18-20). In exchange, he fills us with spiritual and eternal blessings (Ephesians 1:3). "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15:58). As we walk in Christ, he will never leave us barren nor unfruitful (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 6:25-34). Why would he ask us to give him our lives if he had no plans to take care of us? (Matthew 10:5-15). We can feel completely safe and confident in the Lord because he has "overcome all" (Revelation 17:14). We can walk his Word every day because it will make us complete (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Living sanctified in Christ is the safest, most comforting place we can be! Please come to Christ! Besides, if we can't stand the sanctified kingdom here in this life, then why would we ever want to be in the sanctified kingdom for all eternity? ---- Read this article online, write your reaction, and read others' comments as well. Click here: http://tinyurl.com/yzcsfh6 You can help get the word out. Here's how: http://www.forthright.net/editorial/lend_a_hand.html