by Barbara Latta
People are searching for comfort. In our chaotic world, peace eludes as fear escalates. We can find solace in God and God alone. His Word tells us how to enter and benefit from the promises that overcome all obstacles.
In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples who they say He is.
 |
| Keys to the kingdom of God |
Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of
the living God.” (v. 16 NKJV).
Jesus then tells Peter “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in
heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give
you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven
(V.17-19).
Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven to those who
would believe.
But have you ever wondered what they are?
Before a person can enjoy the benefits of living in a
kingdom, they must be a resident or member of the kingdom. To enter the kingdom
of God one must receive the sacrifice of Christ as payment for sin. Then that
person is translated into the family of God.
Jesus didn’t list the keys of the kingdom for His followers,
but we can gather what He meant by other teaching He did.
Salvation
This is the main key that opens the door to God’s kingdom.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and
believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth
confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10).
Humility
Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and
become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the
kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:4-5).
We can’t put our trust in Christ for salvation without
humbling ourselves before Him to make the confession that He is Lord.
Authority
In Matthew 16: 17-19 stated above, Jesus gives them
authority over Hades. Whatever we bind or loose on earth is bound and loosed by
the power of heaven. Satan cannot prevail over the Church when we use the
authority Jesus gave us.
Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a
public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:15).
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will
flee from you (James 4:7).
Healing
Jesus sent His disciples out to other cities and gave them
authority to heal the sick and cast out demons.
And heal the sick there, and say to them; “The kingdom of
God has come near to you.” (Luke 10:9).
Knowledge
“Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of
knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you
hindered” (Luke 11:52).
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For
the Spirit searches all things, yes the deep things of God (2 Corinthians
2:10).
We cannot operate in the kingdom without knowledge of His
Word.
His Physical Kingdom
When Christ sets up His kingdom on the earth, He will have a physical kingdom. But until that time comes, His kingdom operates in believers.
“For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
(When talking to
Pilate) Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were
of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to
the Jews but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:37).
I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of
Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth (Zechariah 8:3)
If you are worried and fearful because of stressful events in our world, the God of peace wishes to give you hope. If you do not know Him, you can enter His kingdom simply by receiving the keys He extends.
If you are already a believer, can you list more keys to God's kingdom that Christ gave
us? Feel free to share your thoughts.
What are the keys to the kingdom of God Jesus gave to Hisfollowers? (click to tweet)
This is a beautiful, instructive lesson, Barbara. When we are given a key, we're given authority and power in some area. Thank you for this encouraging and inspirational post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Connie, for sharing your kind thoughts. Many blessings to you!
DeleteSalvation, humility, authority, healing, knowledge, and His physical kingdom--what an amazing list of keys. And, even more amazing is that we too, received these keys at the time of our salvation. Our God is an awesome God! I think I would add LOVE as another key. If we didn't have the ability to love one another as God loves us, we could never get along in the world.
ReplyDeleteYes, Katherine, love is the ultimate key.Thanks for sharing that! Without love we have nothing. Blessings!
DeleteThank you for the reminder of these important keys to the kingdom
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Kathy. Blessings!
DeleteThanks for the reminder to stay humble to be hopeful. When I'm humble I remember that God is bigger than everything I face. Most appreciated.
ReplyDeleteYes God is bigger than all circumstances and in our world we need daily reminders that He is always there. Thanks for sharing, Joanna. Blessings!
DeleteAmen. They are all there for the asking aren't they ma'am. Wonderful post! Thank you for reminding me that our God is bigger than this world.
ReplyDeleteYes, and aren't we glad our God is bigger than anything and takes care of our every need? Thanks for sharing, J.D. Blessings!
Delete