Promises of God's Kingdom
- Eternal life, without sorrow, crying, pain, or sickness
- No fear, strife, or war
- Prosperity for all
- Peace and joy for all
- God's love manifested to each person
Entering God's Kingdom
Many people are looking for a secret key that will open paradise on earth. Others are searching for the knowledge that will empower them to have a worldwide healing and miracle ministry. We must enter the Kingdom of God as a child, with childlike faith and humility.
Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come by observation, but it’s within you.” So, how do you enter God's kingdom? Simply by being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. Producing "the fruit of the Spirit" is your ticket into the kingdom of God. As we 'walk in the Spirit' we enter the kingdom, a little more every day, as our mind is renewed by the living Word of God and we grow in His likeness in this world.
Just as it takes nine months to gestate a baby, it takes time to change your character and produce the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit engineers the circumstances in your life toward this goal. The process can't be rushed. There's no shortcut. If you fail a test, you'll retake that lesson over and over until you pass, and then you'll graduate you to the next lesson.
The Fruit of the Spirit
By these few verses we can easily discern whether we are walking according to the flesh or the Spirit...
"Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality , impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions , envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Gal 5:19-23 (NASB)
Do you want to be a better person? The fruit of the Spirit includes love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Do you want to be happy? The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, and peace.
Do you want to walk on water, control the weather, heal the sick, and raise the dead? The fruit of the Spirit includes being full of faith.
How to develop the fruit of the Spirit
- Read and meditate the Bible, in faith that God will reveal the living Word of God to you by His Spirit, so that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened (Eph 1:18)
- Abide in the Vine (John 15)
- Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2)