Two Kingdoms, Two Natures, Two Lives

John 3
3 Jesus responded and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
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5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. [perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

• Faith is a substance, a tangible reality of something that otherwise cannot be seen or experienced. Faith recognises The New and the old and acknowledges two opposing realities! The Heavenly Kingdom and the earthly kingdom, flesh and faith/Spirit. Paul talks plainly about realising these two natures or laws at war within his body.

Romans 7
22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

• ⁠Understanding these two kingdoms/realities is a vital foundation for the Born Again believer. Faith sees and enters The Kingdom of God, a Kingdom which is eternal, everlasting and unchanging just as God is faithful. The flesh life however is brief, full of uncertainty and fear and constantly striving to find satisfaction and power.
• The flesh is unstable, broken, uncertain and bound by fear but faith lives in The Secret Place of The Most High, safe and secure from all alarms with a Spirit of power and of love and a sound mind! Faith STAYS there!! Faith LIVES from there!

James 2
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror]!
20 But are you willing to acknowledge, you foolish person, that faith without works is useless?
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26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. ⁠

• James is not trying to enforce church attendance, religious obedience or a bigger offering. He is making it very clear that The Life that is in the believer is God’s Life! And HIS life LIVES!! By faith His Life lives and produces fruit! Fruit that will be tangible evidence of that faith!!
• Grace does not act!! Grace does not give a response. Grace alone is a gift unreceived! Grace makes the giving of a gift possible but ONLY BY FAITH can it be received! Only faith will believe The Word of God and lay hold of His promises. Grace can promise you eternal life and the indwelling of The Spirit but only faith will believe, receive and walk in that promise.

Galatians 2
20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

• We see here again that divide between flesh and faith. Paul lives in his fleshly body but he lives that life by faith!
• In the flesh we are fleeting, empty lives but by faith we live an eternal, abundant life, more than conquerors in Christ Jesus! By faith Jesus has given me every victory, by faith I enjoy that The Lord has given me ALL things that pertain unto Life and Godliness! ALL THINGS! He has given them!!! But without faith I will never receive or enjoy those things!!
• If we truly have faith to believe these things then we should walk different!! We will NOT walk in defeat! Consider the life that truly believes these things and walks in the goodness/fullness of them!

Hebrews 4
2 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.

• Knowledge of His Word is not enough. His word must be mixed with faith. It must be received by faith and practiced by faith! There is so much that is available to us, that has been given and promised to us, if we will only believe! If His word, His promises, His testimonies are mixed with faith in US!
• Let us stir up our faith and very simply choose to believe His word! Bring a sacrifice of praise where faith is lacking and let The Lord encourage us to believe on Him step by step, word by word, promise by promise.