11.
The new man is a man of faith. His trust in the Lord Jesus Christ is firm and steadfast. He believes in and fully accepts the message which Jesus brought to this world. The gospel of the kingdom of God. Mark 1:14 Jesus taught that the time had come and that the kingdom of God was at hand. Therefore, faith and repentance were in order. Mark 1:15 Jesus went from city to hamlet ministering this precious message not only in word but in signs and wonders as well. He demonstrated the kingdom. Mat. 9:35.
The kingdom is not limited to a particular city, or country, or even heaven. It is not necessary to take a journey or to die to obtain the kingdom. Jesus plainly and beautifully declared the kingdom as being within the believer. His statement was, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke 17:21 It is not a case of mankind occupying the kingdom, but rather, we are to possess the kingdom. The kingdom is not a natural, worldly kingdom. The kingdom of God is Spiritual. It is not transitory but eternal. The kingdom of God is not what we eat or drink, or how we maintain our natural life. By the Spirit the righteousness of the Lord is made manifest in us. The joy and peace of the presence of the kingdom within us will continue to increase and ultimately become predominant within us.
Rom. 14:17
The coming of the kingdom has made null and void the law and the prophets. That which is beneficial is incorporated into the kingdom, otherwise it falls into misuse. Their time and efforts ceased with the coming of John the Baptist. Luke 16:16 A new and intimate relationship, never before enjoyed, was made possible and all are invited to participate in all the good things which the Lord has prepared for those who love Him. This is the time and the age of the kingdom of God dwelling within the redeemed of the Lord. The kingdom, is the message of the blood washed, the saved. It is a possession by and of the Spirit of Christ which should be aggressively sought after. He has called His people to be a Spiritual kingdom not something which is to be applied to the sweet bye and bye, but now, in the here and now. What is more wonderful than having the glories of the kingdom dwelling within these mortal bodies. All the virtues, all the powers of that kingdom are to be made manifest in the church. She is a living organism. Alive because the kingdom dwells within.