As we continue to examine the dynamics of the heavenly Kingdom that we have now been translated into through our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to let the Kingdom give expression of the virtues of the King through us. It is not enough to be in Christ we need to let Him express Himself through us.

We are in the Kingdom and the Kingdom is in us because the King is resident in us. We need to let Him be known in and through us. Our text is Matt. 5-7, with a start at 5:13.

We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. We are to generate the influence that will preserve the earth and show the world the way to God and how to live a fulfilled live in Christ. God did not intend to hide the church in a place of irrelevance and obscurity. He intends that the earth be preserved by the presence of the church and the light that we carry should shine through out the world so that people will know who God is and He will be given His rightful place in their lives. The world is ignorant of God largely because God’s agent of influence-His people have not allowed the light to shine so they will see our good works of power and give honor to our Father in heaven who is at work in us.

Repentance is the doorway to intimacy and a Kingdom lifestyle. God's New Testament economy is focused on His Kingdom. We should repent, change our mind, make a turn in our life-pursuit. We have been pursuing other things; now our pursuit must turn toward God and His kingdom. Complete repentance involves renouncing the world, its spirits and desires. The world is run on human lusts and pride. We need to renounce and receive God's way of kingdom life. All through the scriptures we are considering, we see the lifestyle of the Kingdom as it sharply contrasts our present lifestyle. John the Baptist started his preaching by demanding repentance, and Peter did the same in the book of Acts chapter 2.

Our focus must be God and our motive must be love. Our search is for His kingdom and how He functions. The old man has left residues in us to keep lusting after the flesh and walk in the pride of life. These must be replaced by the effects of the cross in our lives. For lust of the flesh we consider ourselves dead to sin-Romans 6, for lust of the eyes, we are not moved by what we see and choose to see as God sees things. For pride of life we crucify the flesh and the lusts thereof. We stop criticizing and start appreciating. We seek to walk in heart- peace with God and men.

We are now ready to take on Kingdom mandates as part of God’s army. We are now responding to the sounds from heaven not earth. We are like the prophets of old saying the dry bones will live and hear the sound of ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.

We no longer seek our own but embrace His ways and Kingdom. The outcome is a more fulfilled life that glorifies God. We seek His Kingdom and every other thing is added to us because as we get involved with His kingdom we know how He operates and all the supplies we need are added to us. God bless you as you labor for and in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus is Lord,

Rev. Kola Ewuosho