7 Keys for Kingdom Inheritance: #1 Repentance

In the world we live in, we are taught and familiarized with the kingdom of man and Satan more than the kingdom of God. Whether we switch the screen on or stare at the billboard, and even walk around the streets, we see the control and influence of Satan in the fibre of society. The kingdoms of this world has always been in opposition to God’s will and power, yet it is into this kingdom that followers of Jesus have been adopted and called to partake in its inheritance. God has called us to be part of a kingdom that does not perish nor fade away. As we look into the precepts (warrant or principles) of the kingdom of God, look at yourself and ask yourself “am I living according to the standards or expectations of this Kingdom?” and If I am not, is this a call for me to ask myself, ‘how then do I become part of it?’ What is the first key to consider in regard to the kingdom of God?

YOU MUST REPENT

“Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” – Matthew 3:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)

The concept of the kingdom of God in the New Testament begins with the subject of repentance. The first mention of the word ‘kingdom’ comes with the implications of repentance as accounted for in Matthew 3:2. John the Baptist as a forerunner preparing the way of the Lord, he announces in the Desert of Judea that people ought to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near” (other translations say the Kingdom of heaven is “at hand”). This was a revolutionary announcement and decree that John was making to an audience filled with all kinds of people. He was speaking to the rich and the poor; children and adults; women and men; widows and homeless people; the religious and pagans alike – saying that they now have an opportunity to attain entrance into the kingdom of God through the door of repentance and not by birth right. Jesus as King over this kingdom gives people to relate and belong to Him irrelevant of their ethnic, socio-political and religious background.

He is simply calling all who hear His call that the kingdom of heaven is at hand to make a conscious decision to turn from the customs and values of their forefathers and pursue God’s purpose in the salvation and lordship of Christ.

Repentance within the context of the Bible can be understood as: changing and turning from the life and control of sin as an enemy to God, and entrusting your life in the saving works and lordship of Jesus Christ. The one repenting must turn from the way they used to think, live, walk, and change in showing true allegiance to the lordship and mandate of God’s kingdom.

The kingdom of God is not only a place to enter but a reality to live by.

Acknowledging that there is a kingdom far more superior in power and rulership, should lead one to demonstrate that shift of allegiance in behaviour and experience.  Repentance should not come across as an action imposed on us, but rather it is a change of thought and behaviour motivated by the confrontation of God’s truth. We repent because the King of heaven and earth commands our submission to His lordship, and through love we express gratitude for our salvation from His wrath against the kingdom of unrighteousness and wickedness. Prior to Jesus Christ, we belong to the kingdom of this world which enslaves and inflicts us through sin, but now through repentance, we have been born into a kingdom whose King rules with love, grace and truth. The call to repentance is a clarion call to all but it is ultimately a personal conviction of repentance to Jesus Christ. Repentance affirms our standing with God.

We firstly repent at the point of entry into the kingdom of God; however, we continue to repent in our walk of life until we enter glory. The reality is that, as we continue to live for Him in this kingdom, the King will tell us “Change your ways from that!” … “refrain from such speech” … “correct your meditations” … “rid yourself of such behaviour” … “be mindful of your dress code or go back and apologize to your neighbour.”  He would not be King, if there was no dominion He has over our lives. It may be difficult for us to relate with Christ’s lordship though repentance, because of living in a democratic state. However, in a monarchy, the statutes or decrees of a king are not considerations to ponder on but commands to obey. Furthermore, the kingdom of God is not abstract, for Jesus came teaching with parables that the kingdom of God is like ‘a man who went and sowed in the fields’ or the kingdom of God is like ‘a man who found treasure in the field’, and many more parables which meant to illustrate that the kingdom of God is something that is experienced in our day-to-day life. When Jesus Christ teaches about the kingdom of God with parables, he compares spiritual matters of the kingdom with symbols that can be related to in the normal occurrences of life – farming, trade, relationships, marriage, civil disputes, religious structures and authorities, family issues, etc. It is therefore that, our repentance in God’s kingdom should model a change of thought and behaviour in our workplace, the priorities we have, trades we engage in, relationships we belong to, and largely our moral and civil affairs.  

Mostly, the change should flow from the nature of our relationship we have with God as our King. Jesus alerts his disciples that “my kingdom is not of this world” (Jn 18:36), differentiating himself from Pilate and the religious leaders. Our repentance is also not of this world. We have to be set us apart from the values and customs of this world that are driven by the attraction of the eye, what puffs up the pride of man; and feeds into the greed and desires of the body. Our repentance should also be from religious kingdoms that keep people enslaved and devoted to seeking approval from God and man through our own works. We can live life keeping the appearance of virtue and godliness but remain unchanged and discontent in our heart – lacking peace and empowerment from God.

Repentance is not an option, we must repent if we are to be accepted into God’s Kingdom, having full claim of its inheritance and promises as the King of glory wills for us. God is gracious and loving that He only commands of us what is to our benefit ultimately. Repentance is a prerequisite to ‘entering’ the Kingdom of God and for ‘staying’ in this Kingdom.

May the LORD help you to walk in repentance and identify areas in your life that might need you to repent from. May the Holy Spirit enable you to overcome thoughts and desires you need to turn away from and seek after God’s purposes for your life, in honour and glory of His Kingdom.