“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:12-14).
Two kingdoms are mentioned in verse 13.
Satan’s kingdom is the kingdom of darkness.
The kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ is the kingdom of light.
We were all once slaves of Satan and in his kingdom of darkness. Those of us who have been born again have been transferred into the kingdom of light, the kingdom of His dear Son.
We were not brought into the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ so that we can do as we please. No! We are to be His love-slaves, subject to Him, to His will, every day of our life. Do you live to please Him? Are you subject to the Lord in everything? Peter the apostle said:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).
Three aspects of our Lord are in His three names.
Jesus means Savior.
Lord (Kurios in Greek) means Master, Owner, Boss, Chief.
Christ (The Messiah in Hebrew) means the Anointed.
Today many are willing to accept His Saviorhood, as a “fire insurance” to avoid going to hell forever.
Strangely, most are totally unwilling to be subject to His Lordship, to obey Him absolutely and continually.
Why?
Because they are not willing to relinquish being the captains of their own destiny. They want to do as they please.
This is the attitude Satan stirred in Eve, causing her to eat of the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. She did as she pleased instead of obeying God.
How did our Lord Jesus preach the Gospel? He said:
“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17b).
If you are unsure of your salvation, if you are not subject to the will of God, if you have not yet willingly given yourself to God, do so now. Talk to Him about it in your own words.
Tell Him you are a sinner. Honestly admit it.
Tell Him that you are praying to Him because only He can save you.
Tell Him that you repent and do so honestly.
Tell Him that you are willing to turn away from sin and subject yourself to Him completely.
Tell Him that you believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood to completely pay for all your sins.
Tell Him that you believe that He rose from the dead on the third day.
Then deliberately, specifically, ask Him to save you.
Remind Him that His Word emphatically tells you,
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Call Him by name! Say, “Lord Jesus Christ, save me!”
Ask Him to be your God! Say, “Lord Jesus Christ, be my Lord, my King, my Boss, my Owner! I give myself, all I am, to You. I give You my body, my thoughts, my entire life. I am Yours now and forever!”
Get a Bible and begin to read it, beginning with the book of John, then the entire New Testament and finally the Old Testament. Read it from cover to cover. Then continue reading it daily over and over again.
You’ll be amazed and delighted to discover that you are getting to know God Himself.
As you read God’s Word, God will have the opportunity to speak to You.
Then, as you pray, you will be speaking to God.
You will enjoy having some lively dialogues with God Himself, the One that lives and speaks.
Don’t go to the church of your choice; go to the church of His choice. Ask Him where He wants you to go. He will tell you.
Since Jesus commanded believers to be immersed in baptism, obey. Get baptized.
The following prayer will give you further guidelines. Do not repeat it like a parrot. It will give you some hints as to how to pray and what to ask. However, you will enjoy praying much more if you grasp the main points and pray them in your very own words.
Let’s pray:
“Lord Jesus Christ, I desire not only Your Saviorhood, but also your Lordship in my life.
I give myself to You, make me Your willing love-slave.
Write Your laws on my heart and in my mind. Write Yourself into me.
Cause me to do your will; I am willing to take Your will to be my will.
Rule me, Lord Jesus.
As You always obeyed the Heavenly Father, I give myself to obey You.
Discipline me when I need it.
Cause me to know and experience your Lordship over me.
I love you, my Lord Jesus Christ.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
If you have now repented and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, then, my dear reader, that is…
THE BEGINNING!
From Talking with God – Chapter 19