A BELIEVER’S GUIDE FOR IDENTITY REDISCOVERY
According to the book of Genesis, God created the heaven and the earth. And to give form and content to the earth, Jehovah spoke the elements of the earth into existence. This was crowned with the creation of Adam who was put in the earth typified by Eden as his kingdom of influence (Gen1:28).
In Eden, God created a kingdom of ‘deathless’ life and ‘decayless’ environment. Adam and Eve were bequeathed with the authority over everything in the world. However, when they fell to the deceit of Satan by disobeying God, Satan the serpent became the king of the world. As a result of this, sin and death reigned with dominion over the earth Rom 5:12, 6:12.
With the fall of man, the redemption plan which was fore-ordained before the foundation of the world was unfolded. This was mirrored with Noah’s Ark, Abraham’s circumcision, crossing of the Red Sea, Moses tabernacle and Solomon’s temple. Finally, Jesus Christ was revealed and He paid the ultimate price for the redemption of man.
The birth, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ restored the lost dominion to man. Everyone that believes and receive Him should reign with the restored dominion. Knowing that Satan is the king of the world, what then does it mean for a believer to manifest kingship? This presupposes that it is only a king that manifests kingship.
What does a king look like? Let’s look at some kingly traits that we should strive to manifest: kings have authority (rule, reign), kings walk nobly, kings use justice and righteousness to establish their kingdoms. Kings need wisdom to govern the people. Kings fight battles to protect their territories. In a nutshell, kings have kingdoms, glory and power.
Kingdom- 1 Tim 1:15, Heb 1:8, Col 1:13, Rev 5:9-10. What kingdom do you belong to?
Glory- Prov 25:2, 1 Cor 2:7, Eph 3:3, Haggai 2:7, 2 Cor 10:17. What are you searching for?
Power- Act1:8, 1 Cor 2:7, Rom15:13, Zech 4:6, Luke 4:36. Which power do you trust on?
Christian kingship is our authority in Christ to exert leadership on the earth. It means reigning over the 4s - sin, self, Satan and spiritual death in our life. We have divine rights and privilege to apply Christ’s Lordship to our own life, gaining personal victory and ruling over anything unchristlike in us. It begins with Christ and me co-ruling over me (2 Cor 4:11).
Every born again Christian is a king. We are not just ordinary kings. We are priestly kings, that is, we have a high priest by whom we have access to the holiest of holies (Heb 10:19). What we do with this kingship is in our hands. It may be beyond understanding. But by faith, we must say ‘’Amen, Lord I am a king’’. We should rule and reign as kings on this Earth, over Satan, over the curse and circumstances and situations in our lives (Ps 81:1-9).
When we became born again, God imparted His nature of righteousness on us (2 Pet 1:4). We manifest kingship in this world by the empowerment we get when we walk in righteousness. Again, God has not planned to kill the devil now but the truth is that the devil flees when we show up in any situation in the world (Jn 1:5). God has given the dominion of the earth to believers.
We must know who we are. By the grace of God, we are no longer conformed to the world. This means our mind; decisions and actions are no longer the same as that of the world. The consciousness of our righteousness causes us to walk in dominion and speak with authority. Thoughts of fear, failure and defeat become alien to us as we function in the kingly office God has appointed us to occupy.
No wonder the Apostle Paul declares in Rom 8:37 ‘’… we are more than conquerors through Him’’. It is not ourselves. We have been made kings by the royal and effective blood of the Lamb. Fore-example, a foot soldier is vital to an army’s conquest yet his responsibility ends after victory has been won. To be more than a conqueror is to be a ruler of what is conquered- a king (Col 2:15).
It is a misnomer that so many believers do not know their identity in Christ. But thanks to Jehovah who is increasingly illuminating the lives of believers by the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 4:17). As we yield to the move of the Holy Spirit, the Lion of the tribe of Judah causes the lion in us to awake to the truth pertaining to identity, co-heir and kingship.
As this happens, the ruler of the world fidgets and squirms in threatened agitation. When believers are not manifesting kingship, Satan has free reign-he plunders the domain of the king while the king sits oblivious on his throne.
At creation, Elohim spoke and things came into existence. It is this authority that God the Son gave to believers when He reconciled us to the Father (Jn 20:21). The King of kings speaks and he expects believers who are kingly- priests to speak like Him. ‘’… the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach’’ (Rom 10:8).
From the foregoing, it is clear that kingship goes with authority and power. Kings are often authoritarian. They rule by decrees which go into effect as they say them. That is how God want us to reign as well (Job22:28). If our kingdom is the kingdom of light, then our pattern of kingship would be that of God (1 Pet 2:9, Is 32:1). Eph 6:10-20 illustrates God’s template for manifesting kingship in the earth.
Vs 10 SOURCE OF POWER
Do you know who you are? You have a place in God’s agenda. He has given you authority and power by the Holy Spirit that dwells in you (Luke4:36, Micah 3:8).
Vs 11-13DEFENCE STRATEGY
You must be battle ready. Kings stock their armouries even when there is peace. Go for the right weapons (1 Sam 17:38-40). Unmask the enemy. Satan and his demons continually want to encroach into your kingdom. Your strategy must be word based. He flees when believers stand their ground. ‘’Nothing missing, nothing broken’’.
Vs 14 VALUE SYSTEM
What is in your loins? Is it the truth? (Jn 8:32, Jn 7:38). Your loins carry your future (Heb 7:9-10). The breastplate is a covering for vital organs-lungs and heart during battles. What do you take into your heart? ‘’Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life’’ (Ps 4:23). If righteousness is your breastplate (Prov 14:34), then you will be exalted and everyone the Lord has put in your care will rejoice (Prov 29:2).
Vs 15 KINGDOM INTEREST
Readiness to move as led by the Holy Spirit (Acts 26:16). Where do your feet enter? Mk 16:15-18. We must be carriers of the gospel of peace. Acknowledge your freedom as a citizen of heaven and your duty to pursue the interest of the kingdom.
Vs 16 TERRITOTIAL INTEGRITY
With faith the believer is able to stop every attack of the enemy (1 Pet 5:8). Taking the shield of faith means walking in the Spirit (2 Cor 5:7). What do you do in the face of difficulty? Do you blab or run from one man to another? Kings react with dignity. They exude confidence and nobility.
Vs 17 RIGHTS AND PRIVILEDGES
Are you saved? You must be born of the Spirit to have life. The assurance of your salvation is the right to eternal life. This brings you under the shadow of the Almighty. The sword of the spirit is the offensive weapon in the kingdom of light.
Vs 18 CHAIN OF COMMAND
When kings make declarations of war, their armies go to war. Likewise, when we pray in the Spirit the sword of the Spirit is released. Every kingdom has a command structure and unknown tongue is the language of the kingdom of light. Angels are the armies God has given to us (Heb 12:22, Ps 78:25, 2 Cor 2:14). Angels swing into action (Heb 1:14) when we speak in unknown tongues because it is their language (1 Cor 13:1). Infact, it is on this basis that believers will judge angels (1 Cor 6:3). Als
Vs 19-20 ROYALTY
Kings are sovereign in their domains. Their source of authority is sacrosanct. They are bold to speak concerning any issue in their kingdom. We must b bold in professing our faith (Heb 10:23). We are ambassadors of Christ and our kingly authority is from Him (2 Cor 5:20).
Regards
Sokore Collins Erebi
Founder/CKO
Scholars Without Borders
Warri, Nigeria
Phone: +234(0)8060488800
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