THE NEW YOU: A REALM BEYOND RELIGION - JUNE 8, 2021
In Luke 17:20-21, the scriptures states, 20 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; 21 nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” The religious leaders were concerned with when will God come and reign. Christ would remind them that the kingdom of God is not of this world. The kingdom of heaven is a realm where God dwells, within, in the midst of and among God's people, not a class of religious people.
The New You is a dwelling place for the kingdom of God beyond religion.
In 1 Peter 2:9, the foundation of our kingdom identity as born again believers is laid, "9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;"
The New You is a government of priests. The New You is kingdom carrier in a priestly state. The New You is a kingdom citizen in a holy nation of priests.
God's kingdom purpose remains in you as an entire nation of priests in the fullness of what priesthood means: the revealers of the image of God in the earth, a dynasty of kings and priests united with the attributes and character of the kingdom of God. In Christ, Every human a king. Every human a priest.
The Septuagint (Greek Old Testament) states the phrase "a priesthood of kings." That means when you are born again, you are intended to demonstrate the way of life, the office, the nature, the ministry of all to all, not just a selected few with religious tenets. You are born into or enter into the kingdom priestly way of life, with priestly dignity, power, authority and holiness, separated to the nature and name of the King.
There is a realm of living and ministry that goes beyond just being a Christian, a five-fold ministry gift, attending church functions or going through religious activities.
God has always wanted a kingdom of priests-representations of Christ in the earth. You might feel weak at times, or unworthy and under condemnation. The New You is that you have the light of the Word and the life of Holy Spirit and we are all in the process of constant immersion in Christ and preparation in the Christ mind. God has chosen you out of the nations of the earth, imparted into you the grace of redemption, the glory of the revelation of the power of Christ life and released you to carry out that plan and purpose of Christ in all of creation.
Put on the New You, a realm beyond religion.
Ephesians 4:22-24 AMP 22 that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires, 23 and be continually renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh, untarnished mental and spiritual attitude], 24 and put on the new self [the regenerated and renewed nature], created in God’s image, [godlike] in the righteousness and holiness of the truth [living in a way that expresses to God your gratitude for your salvation].