Cease Contending In The Kingdom

Cease Contending In The Kingdom

To contend is to strive, or to compete in order to win. It is a struggle against a competitor.

It is an Old Covenant mindset. Jacob, Job and David all contended with God. But they didn't have a revelation of who God is through Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament, the word 'contend' only appears three times - in Acts 11:2, Jude 3 and Jude 9.

And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him... - Acts 11:2

I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. - Jude 3

Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses... - Jude 9

In all these passages, there was a competition:

1) Peter struggled and competed with the circumcision party

2) Paul exhorted the people to fight and preserve the original message of the Gospel as the false teachers were misleading them.

3) The angel Michael and the devil were competing (Note: The context of this passage is based on Old Covenant reference. Jesus had not yet died and rose.)

None of these passages talked about contending for divine breakthrough, promises of God (healing, deliverance, finances, etc.) or the kingdom of God.

Why?

In the Kingdom of God, there is no more contending. 

Because it is not by achieving. It is by receiving. 

It is not by striving. It is by resting. 

If we don't understand identity, we will continue to contend. Identity is about knowing your authority and inheritance. You don't contend for what you have inherited. Neither do you contend for what you have authority over.

A policeman doesn't have to contend with you. He just has to wear his uniform and show his pass. He has authority.

My son doesn't have to contend for what I have and are ready to give Him. He knows his inheritance and rights.

Because Jesus did a perfectly perfect and completely complete work on the Cross, we are left with resting, receiving and trusting.

In fact, we are called to make every effort to enter into that rest. (Heb 4:11)

The whole armour of God in Ephesians 6 is about identity. We are even taught how to stand against the enemy. Not by wrestling (6:12), but by standing firm in identity (6:13). We submit to God (James 4:7) and the enemy will flee.

When we can't see clearly from His perspective, we will keep contending for breakthrough.

But when we see clearly from His perspective, we will rest because Christ had already broken through. #itisfinished #poweroftheCross #identity #authority #inheritance