by GORDON ROBERTSON, CBN Chief Executive Officer

Understanding Our Place in God’s Plan

Jesus has given the keys to the kingdom to all of us who believe in Him. These keys give us a greater understanding of how to live according to the will of God. As we discover these keys, we grow in faith and experience the full benefits of the kingdom of God.

What is the Kingdom of God?

The kingdom of God is not a physical domain; it exists wherever the will of God is being done. Ask yourself this question: Is God ruling in my heart? Is the kingdom of God guiding my decisions and actions? When you realize that the kingdom of God is within you, you’ll get the key to your own thought patterns. Here is our call to action: Realize that the kingdom of God is at hand, and that He reigns in every aspect of our lives. All that is required of us is to repent.

The Power of Repentance

The Greek word for “repent” is metanous. Meta means “change,” and nous means your “mind.” What Jesus is asking us to do is change our negative thinking and believe the Good News (Mark 1:15). The Good News is that all our sins are forgiven, and there is nothing that can separate us from God our Father. As His children, we have the right to hear His voice. We have a right to share in His unlimited love and power.

Keys as a Biblical Symbol

In the Bible, keys are a symbol of the granting of authority. The chamberlain of the household or the city would wear the key around his neck. It was a symbol of his access to the storehouse, to the treasuries, and to the inner chambers of the palace. Even today, a mayor will give the key to his city to someone he wants to honor.

Jesus Holds the Keys to Everything

The ultimate key to everything has already been given to Jesus. He has the key to everlasting life, the key to salvation, the key to forgiveness of sins, and the key to baptism in the Holy Spirit. Revelation 3:7 says Jesus is the One who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. Jesus also tells the apostle John, I have the keys of Hades and of Death (Revelation 1:18). And in turn, Jesus gives us the keys to the kingdom.

The Key to Wanting More

In the Beatitudes, Jesus teaches very clearly how to obtain blessings in the kingdom: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3). When He says the poor in spirit, He’s talking about those who realize their complete dependence on God. The poor in spirit know they can add nothing to the finished work of Jesus on Calvary. They are spiritual beggars who come to God and say, Please, Daddy, fill me up. I want more of You. I want Your will to be done.

It is in this place of hunger and humility that the power of God flows. God found you. He redeemed you. He paid a price for you, and He has equipped and empowered you. His promise for you is that nothing will be impossible if you believe. And from the beginning of time, it has been His plan to give you the keys to His kingdom.

Scripture is quoted from the NKJV