Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

We are exhorted not to be conformed to the standards of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Transformation is the plan of God for us.

Kingdom life is recognising Theocracy and surrendering my “democratic right” to rule my own life. A surrendered life brings a joy and delight in God and a love relationship with Him, that is independent of whatever circumstance I find myself in. The Indwelling Christ transforms me as I surrender to Him daily, but He will not be conformed to the standards and values of this world. The two are not compatible.

Jesus said that we are in the world but not “of” it. The Kingdom of God has completely different values and conditions to the world’s views. Kingdom living is all about stewardship. 1 Corinthians 4: 1-2, “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Every man has equal opportunity to receive eternal life through Jesus and have a walk of faith, (John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that WHOSOEVER believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life.) However, we cannot try to fathom God out by worldly standards of fairness and equality. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, sacrificed Himself on the Cross for the sin of the world, was that fair?!!

In the Parable of the Talents, (Matthew 25), men were allotted differing amounts of talents from the Master, verse 15 reads, “And to one He gave 5, to another 2, and to another 1, TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS SEVERAL ABILITY.” God, in His wisdom and mercy, gives talents – gifts to men, but He requires stewardship of His God-given gift to us. With the gift comes responsibility. God teaches me how to use it, to function and operate in it for His glory – this is stewardship – responsibility and accountability to Him and the Body of Christ God has placed me in and related me to.

! Peter 4:10 “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

If a man proves faithful with a little, more will be given, God’s gifts should be held in humility for the extension of the Kingdom, not for the glory of man! We came into this world with nothing and will leave with nothing, but have we used the gifts God has given us and lived our lives to the glory of God? When we discover the mysteries of the Kingdom and become transformed by the Indwelling Christ, our true treasure, the coin of “another realm” is being stored in Heaven.

The gifts are given to serve the Body of Christ, not for self-exaltation. If a gift is not held in humility, the person usually goes “off-track” and loses their way. God’s gifts are not for the exploitation of man but for the extension of His Kingdom.

If our Heavenly Father chooses to operate through us in His gifts, it is wonderful, but that power should not be our primary focus always seeking manifestations, the accolades of men and attracting crowds. Our focus should be on the transformation of our lives into the image of Christ, manifest in an ordinary, every-day life. Stewardship of God’s gifts should lead us into a transformed life of a peace that passes understanding, no trace of turmoil, the delight of a servant-heart giving their life away for others, being drawn in to “the King’s Chambers” for renewal and transformation.

In the light of His transformation of my mind and life, the things that I once loved do not rule my life any more. The light of His glory and grace on my life causes earth’s treasures and men’s accolades to grow “strangely dim” and lose their attraction and hold on me. May my ear be tuned firstly to the One Voice from Heaven and my heart ruled by the Greatest Love. These are the footprints of Heaven on a transformed life!