LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 20, 2024

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JUNE 20, 2024

To the Saints and faithful brethren which are at __________________________ (Fill in where you live). Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This was Paul’s greetings to the Colossians and so we use it also to greet each of you wherever you are in God’s Kingdom.

As we consider living in the Kingdom of God, we realize we are not all that much different from the Colossians or any other group of people who have lived on this earth since the creation. Of course we have things, convieniences, etc that no other people have ever had, but we also have the same human nature that Adam and Eve had to live with. Every generation and every individual has had to make a choice/choices that identify what kingdom they were living in. So it is for us today. We will look at Colossians chapter three and see where we might place ourselves.

Seek the things of God--Put off the old man and put on Christ--Charity, humility, obedience, family duties 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 5 Mortify, therefore, your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience, 7 In the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. 8 But now ye also put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him, 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free; but Christ is all and in all. 12 Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering, 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things, put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh--not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God; 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not unto men, 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons. This scripture is just one of many that make clear the path we must follow if we desire permanent residency in the Kingdom Jesus will bring into its fullness.

Doctrine and Covenants 38:2 c ”Behold, the kingdom is yours and the enemy shall not overcome.”

And 38:4 c “...fear not for the kingdom is yours and for your salvation I give unto you a commandment…” The commandments are many and the promises of God are most abundant. May we live a kingdom quality life that will glorify God and bring others to Him.

God bless

Paul Gage