The Upside Down Kingdom
You Find Freedom in Surrender & Submission

In The Kingdom of God. Freedom is not found in casting off restrain – freedom is found as we embrace Kingdom culture. The culture of Heaven is one of freedom.

Colossians 1:13-14 (NLT) For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Why did we need to be rescued? Why did we need our freedom to be purchased? Because we were in bondage. Because freedom doesn’t exist in the kingdom of darkness. Because you can’t just walk out of the kingdom of darkness.

Jesus did not come to limit or restrict us or repress us. He didn’t come to take away our freedom – because we never had freedom. He came to set us free. He came so that we could know freedom and live in freedom.

Galatians 5:1 (Amp) It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed].

God gives us guidelines NOT TO CONTROL US, but to help us stay free. If God were about control – He would have NEVER given us a free will.

So He gives direction on every part of our life.

• He said be careful how much you eat (Proverbs 23:20-21)
• He said avoid complaining (Philippians 2:14)
• He said run from sexual sin (1Corinthians 6:18)
• He said don’t be drunk or intoxicated (Ephesians 5:18)
• He said forgive (Ephesians 4:31-32)

God gave us guidelines and principles for living not because He is controlling, restrictive or limiting, or because He doesn’t want us to experience life or enjoyment – BUT because He does want us to enjoy life and live in freedom.

Matthew 6:24 (NLT) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. Living in The Kingdom means we let go of our will and adopt His will.

Romans 8:6(NLT) say that …letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Romans 6:16 (Msg) So, since we’re out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom. Offer yourselves to sin, for instance, and it’s your last free act. But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you’ve let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you’ve started listening to a new Master, One whose commands set you free to live openly in His freedom!