Transformed

If you are anything like me, then whenever you read scripture, you might enjoy soaking it all in like a comforting hot drink on a cool frosty morning – one sip at a time with your hands wrapped around the cup! That’s actually my favorite way to read scripture. I dig, press in, search, uncover, and I ask the Holy Spirit a LOT of questions. The most savory part is when my Holy Spirit friend, guide, and teacher answers back in dialogue!

I’m in a long process of learning more about the gospel of the Kingdom and understanding all the ways it is unique (and is not the same as what is commonly known as the salvation gospel). The Kingdom was one of Jesus’ favorite subjects, so I find it fascinating how we have pushed it aside or not fully understood or embraced it. It was in this vein that I found myself other morning looking up scriptures surrounding the thought of believers not being “of this world”.

In this case the interesting part had to do with a slight difference in translation of the word “world” in scripture. Although for most the difference might not mean much, the subtle touch may resonate with some of you.

Here’s what I tripped across:

The Greek word used in scriptures such as John 17:14 (they are not of the world); John 18:36 (my Kingdom is not of this world); John 15:19 (you are not of this world); 1 John 2:15 (do not love the world); and John 1:10 (He was in the world), are all κόσμος (translated “kosmos”). Uses include world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment.

Then I came across Romans 12:2 (conformed to the patterns of this world). Here is where we pay a visit to Sesame Street and identify which one of these verses is not like the other, and that is because the translation of world in this verse is taken from the Greek word αἰών, meaning a space of time, an age.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

This is more than just a basic understanding that the things of this world are not a part of our God-given new nature. This verse takes it a step further to give insight on the metamorphosis, how we transform from one nature into the other. It is then by the renewing of our mind that we begin to understand the perfect will of God.

My first thought after learning this was Colossians 3:2 where we are encouraged to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Here the Greek word is γῆ (translated “gé”). Uses include the earth, soil, land, region, country, inhabitants of a region. It is so important for believers to immerse themselves daily in scripture and prayer, declaring His word out loud over our hearts and minds so that our being begins to align in unity with Him and we are given greater insight!

SO… catch this! Where else do we see this Greek word for earth or earthly being used? How about in the Lord’s prayer, Matthew 6:9-13:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

And then Revelation 11:15 gives us a real zinger:

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world (κόσμος or kosmos) have become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”   -Revelation 11:15

Revelation 11:15 is an affirmation of Psalm 2, which tells us that part of Jesus’ inheritance is the nations. Revelation 19 and 20 tells us that after the battle of Armageddon, Jesus reigns here, on this physical earth for 1,000 years.

Why is it important that this came full circle? Think of the 12 men sent to spy out the land, 10 came back and said EEE GAD RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, whereas two came back and said LET’S GO GET IT BOYS! I’m obviously paraphrasing, but the point is that it is one way to align and partner with Christ in His perspective on world affairs. Which type of spy will you be?

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:19-20 

The lessons I am in the process of learning about the Kingdom is, it is HIS Kingdom we should be setting our minds on, not the shakable kingdoms of this present age.

Amen, be blessed!

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