Your Rank in the Kingdom

The Impregnable Favor of God in Your Life: Unveiling Your Rank in the Kingdom:

Introduction:

What is your rank in the kingdom? We often navigate life’s complexities with a limited understanding of the spiritual realities that govern our existence. Your rank in the kingdom derives from a divine appointment that transcends earthly hierarchies and unlocks a realm of impregnable favor. By exploring scriptural truths, drawing parallels from the life of Daniel, and reflecting on the nature of angelic influence, we will delve into the transformative power of aligning our lives with God’s kingdom.

The Dynamics of Position and Influence:

In God’s kingdom, the dynamics of position and influence operate far differently than in the world. Regardless of natural appearances and assumptions we tend to make, earthly position often pales in comparison to the spiritual influence bestowed by God on your life. Daniel, a prime example, held positions of authority under successive empires, yet his true power stemmed from his unwavering devotion to God, granting him influence even over those of higher earthly rank.

“Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another,” Psalm 75:6-7. This scripture underscores that true advancement originates from God, not human merit or political maneuvering. This is the principle of “least” being the greatest in the kingdom. It doesn’t matter how lowly your natural position might be in the realm of men, it is your rank in the kingdom, your position (as Paul said) of being seated in heavenly places in Christ that determines what happens next and how events and circumstances will unfold in your life day by day. Our rank in the kingdom, therefore, is not determined by earthly status but by our relationship with the King of kings. This spiritual rank creates an “impregnable favor” that allows us to navigate life’s challenges with divine support.

The Living Righteousness and Kingdom Rank:

Just as Jesus taught that He is our way, truth, and life, we are given to understand that those attributes in God are not impersonal determinations but a manifestation in His person of who God is. “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption,” 1 Corinthians 1:30. This verse unveils that our righteousness is not a static concept but a dynamic, living reality embodied in Jesus Christ. Similarly, our rank in the kingdom is not a mere designation but a potent, active force that is best understood or apprehended in the context of angelic activity around us. Your “rank” in the kingdom is alive, thinking, cognizant of both heaven and earth, and moving on your behalf as God’s servant assigned to your well-being.

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live,” John 11:25. Jesus’ declaration reveals that He is the source of life itself. Our connection to Him through our kingdom rank imbues us with this life, empowering us to overcome obstacles and walk in divine purpose.

The Angelic Realm and Divine Provision:

The presence of angels in our lives is a testament to the active involvement of the heavenly realm in our earthly journey. “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:14. These celestial beings are not passive observers but active participants in fulfilling God’s will, far more intimately connected with who we are and who God is in us than we could ever comprehend.

Just as the angel guided Joshua, these messengers are dispatched to guide, protect, and provide for us. They “pre-position supplies,” ensuring that we have the resources needed to fulfill our God-given destinies. This divine provision extends beyond material needs, encompassing spiritual strength, wisdom, and favor.

Seeking the Kingdom: Establishing Spiritual Territory:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you,” Matthew 6:33. This foundational scripture underscores the importance of prioritizing God’s kingdom in our lives. By seeking His kingdom, we establish a spiritual territory that shields us from the enemy’s attacks.

This spiritual territory is not a physical boundary but a realm of influence and authority. Listen – God wants you to develop in these things until you understand and walk in the reality that your INFLUENCE in the kingdom is far greater than the POSITION of earthly relationships and connections that govern and impact your life. Another thing to understand is that “position” in the earthly realm is bestowed, but influence in the kingdom expands upwardly in the heavens and outwardly in radiating concentric circles of power and glory, changing your outward life and causing you to walk in an “as in heaven so on earth” reality. This is your “rank” in the kingdom, and as such, it expands as we grow in faith, obedience, and alignment with God’s purposes. The enemy’s ability to penetrate this territory diminishes as we draw closer to God, hindering his schemes and amplifying God’s blessings.

The Paradox of Enlargement and Diminishment:

Because of the immediate and intimate presence of the angel in your life, you are called to empty yourself in terms of the natural that you might be enlarged in the spirit. This understanding of enlargement and diminishment echoes the core principle of Christ’s self-emptying. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men,” Philippians 2:5-7.

This act of kenosis, or self-emptying, illustrates that true greatness often stems from humility and surrender. When we willingly relinquish our own desires and ambitions for God’s purposes, we open ourselves to divine enlargement. This enlargement is not always material but often manifests as increased spiritual influence, favor, and impact.

Decision Making and Divine Confirmation:

The question before each of us is how to make decisions (both great and small) in such a way as we are emptied of self and positioned at the threshold of expansion and enlargement as is God’s unbending intent, where you are concerned. Decision-making and divine confirmation highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance. While common sense has its place, faith-driven decisions often unlock extraordinary blessings. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths,” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Most teachers and preachers suggest that Gideon was wrong to put out a fleece to determine God’s will in his situation. That couldn’t be further from the truth. God never corrected Gideon for this, and the result was total victory. Be open. Seeking confirmation from God, as Gideon did, is not a sign of unbelief but a demonstration of humility and dependence. God desires to guide us, and He often provides multiple confirmations to assure us of His will. The timing of these confirmations can also reveal the urgency of the moment, prompting us to act with faith and boldness.

Spiritual Warfare and the Enemy’s Limitations:

In the arena of spiritual warfare, we need to stay aware of the enemy’s limitations. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,“ Ephesians 6:12. While the enemy does operate in the spiritual realm, that intermediate realm between heaven and earth, even so his power is finite and subject to God’s sovereignty.

As a student of history, I’ve learned that every great battle was determined as much by the character of available supplies and supply lines as regarding anything happening on the front lines. The enemy’s “supply lines” are limited, and his schemes are ultimately futile against those who walk in alignment with God’s kingdom. By seeking the kingdom, we place ourselves beyond the reach of his destructive plans, securing divine protection and provision.

Reflection and Review:

This teaching is all about giving you an understanding of the profound concept of our “rank in the kingdom,” exploring its implications for our lives, decisions, and destinies. We have examined the dynamics of position and influence, the living reality of our righteousness, the role of angelic beings, the importance of seeking the kingdom, the paradox of enlargement and diminishment, the significance of divine confirmation, and the limitations of the enemy.

Call to Action:

• Embrace your royal identity: Recognize and embrace your identity as a child of God, endowed with kingdom rank and authority.
• Cultivate a kingdom mindset: Shift your focus from earthly pursuits to the advancement of God’s kingdom, prioritizing His will above all else.
• Seek divine guidance in all decisions: Approach every decision with prayer and humility, seeking God’s confirmation and direction.
• Activate your spiritual authority: Exercise your kingdom authority through prayer, faith, and obedience, overcoming obstacles and advancing God’s purposes.
• Live in expectant faith: Trust in God’s provision and protection, knowing that He is actively working on your behalf to fulfill His divine plan.