“Outside of Christ, I am only a sinner, but in Christ, I am saved. Outside of Christ, I am empty; in Christ, I am full. Outside of Christ, I am weak; in Christ, I am strong. Outside of Christ, I cannot; in Christ, I am more than able. Outside of Christ, I have been defeated; in Christ, I am already victorious. How meaningful are the words “in Christ.” ~ Watchman Nee
The only requirements to take up residency in the kingdom of God are surrender and then willingness. Once we surrender, we quickly discover that no matter how committed we are to live the kingdom life, we find out we can’t. It is at that moment that Jesus says, “welcome to the kingdom.” The many promises of the kingdom of God will always materialize when the only thing we possess is the need for Jesus to be the Master of our life. Our efforts to follow Jesus fail because they are not rooted in dying to ourselves and the willingness for God to be the captain of our ship. We must discover we don’t possess what the Spirit is calling us to do. Jesus said, “Come to Me,” not “Decide for Me.” We must realize that we can’t live the kingdom life the way scripture tells us we should; we must come as we are. We must discover we are not morally or spiritually fit for the kingdom if we are ever to become the kingdom people Jesus wants us to be. Jesus must come into us and accomplish this task for us. Based on His redemptive power, Jesus boldly claims He can go into anyone and transform their life if they are surrendered and willing enough to receive Him. The knowledge of our hopelessness that we are beyond human aid brings us into the kingdom where Jesus Christ works.
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