Practical Ways To Wear Your Kingdom Identity - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) March 8, 2024

As we endeavor to walk in our Kingdom Identity it is crucial to consider what the Bible outlines as practical ways to accomplish this feat.

Colossians 3 provides a road map of things the believer needs to do. In Colossians 3:2 we are instructed to focus on the things of God and not earthly things. By keeping our gaze on heaven, we can set our needs aside to pray for others, for instance.

Becoming more heaven-focused requires us to intentionally move away from certain behaviors that were once normal before we came to know Christ. These include "xesual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry" (Colossians 3:5). These are commonplace among the people of the world but should not be common in the Body of Christ. Thus, each believer must strive to remove such attitudes and resulting actions from their lives. Colossians 3:6 tells us that such activities bring God's wrath and given what we know of the Lord's holy anger, we should do all we can to not provoke it.

​As believers, we are called to let go of "anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language" (Colossians 3:8). Plus we are not to lie to others (Colossians 3:9). Instead, we are to allow ourselves to be "renewed in knowledge in the image" of God (Colossians 3:10). Such renewal can only happen when we cooperate with the Spirit of God and submit to the building the Lord aims to complete in us.

We are to be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle and patient. We are to express the forgiveness, grace, and love we have received from the Lord to others even when they make mistakes (Colossians 3:12-14). Those who believe in the Father and His Son, are to let the message and the peace of Christ rest in their hearts and be thankful (Colossians 3:15-16).

These instructions may seem very far from who you are today. And if so, that's okay. Just know this - God will never ask you to do something impossible. No matter how tough it looks. He is more than able to help you achieve everything He wants you to do. The key is to cooperate with Him and let Him transform you inside and out.

The Lord calls us to come to Him as we are. Alas, many believe that when they come to Christ they are permitted to remain the way they were. However, God is in the business of changing people for the better. As you remain mindful of who He expects you to become, you'll be able to make wise choices that align with your Kingdom Identity and the Kingdom Position He has created for you.