Reading: The Battle of the Kingdoms by Brian DeCook

The Battle of the Kingdoms

Scripture references:John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17; Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:29; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 2:8; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Peter 2:11; Gal. 6:8; Rom. 8:5-8; John 18:36

1.         When a person surrenders their life to the Father through Jesus Christ, they begin a new life as a citizen of a new kingdom.John 3:3; 2 Cor. 5:17

2.         When people enter God's kingdom, Jesus Christ begins to transform them into His image, moment-by-moment, day by day, from glory to glory (the Lord is always at work!). Eph. 2:10; Rom. 8:29; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18

3.         In the world's kingdom, our choices are motivated by our natural desires - what the Bible refers to as "the flesh.” Gal. 5:19-21

4.         In God's kingdom, our choices are motivated by faith that works through the love of Jesus Christ by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 2:8; Gal. 2:20; Gal. 5:22-23

5.         There is a war between the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. Every Christian is engaged in this war as the flesh and the spirit compete for the desires of the heart. 1 Peter 2:11; Gal. 6:8; Rom. 8:5-8; John 18:36

6.         Understanding that there is a battle between the flesh and the Spirit is one of the keys to understanding how conflict wildfires sometimes ignite.