Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:3)
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (Joh 3:5)
Some of the elementary teachings about Christ that are covered here include repentance, faith in God, being born again, new life, water baptism, and foot washing.
Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you
repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible
says?
“Jesus
came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in
the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and
believe.
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.
He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as
well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who
multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
Doulos Missions International now offers discipleship training online through the Doulos Training School (DTS). Please visit the DTS online at Doulos Training School to find out more about how you or someone you know can participate.
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.
He was
based
in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as
helping leaders to be more effective at
making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the
ultimate goal of
planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United
States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org. Partner with us online by giving to DMI.
When we look at the spiritual life, everything comes down to one fundamental question: Who is sitting on the throne of your heart?
It is easy to talk about faith in abstract terms, but the Bible brings it down to the ground. Every single human being falls into one of three distinct spiritual postures. Let's look at what the Word of God says about these three conditions, using the simple picture of a heart, a throne, and who is calling the shots.
1. The Non-Believer: Christ on the Outside
In the first condition, we see a heart where Christ is not yet invited in. He stands outside, knocking, while the individual rules their own life entirely independently of God. This is the self-directed life of a non-believer.
Ephesians 2:12 describes this state with sobering clarity: "Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ... having no hope and without God in the world."
In the Greek text, the word for "separate" is choris, meaning detached, apart, or isolated. When a person lives apart from the Creator, they are operating out of their own strength. Even when life looks successful on the outside, the inner man is driven by self-preservation and worldly currents. The cross is outside the heart, and the direction of the life is governed completely by the sinful nature.
2. The Carnal Believer: Christ Inside, But Self on the Throne
Here is where many believers find themselves living day by day, and it is a place of great friction. This is the Christian who has welcomed Christ into their heart as Savior, but refuses to relinquish the seat of authority. This is the self-directed life of a believer. Self—represented by the capital "I"—is still occupying the throne.
The Apostle Paul addresses this directly in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he calls some believers "worldly" (carnal). He says, "When one says, 'I follow Paul,' and another, 'I follow Apollos,' are you not being merely human?"
The Greek word used for worldly or fleshly here is sarx. It speaks of living according to human impulse rather than the Spirit. When self sits on the throne of our heart while Christ is merely a resident in the house, we experience spiritual exhaustion, inner conflict, and repeated defeat. We are attempting to rule a kingdom we were never meant to govern.
3. The Spirit-Led Believer: Christ on the Throne
The third condition is where true peace, power, and fruitfulness begin. This is the life where Christ is elevated to His rightful place of supreme authority on the throne, and self has stepped down into submission and fellowship. This is the Christ-directed life of a Spirit-led believer.
Galatians 2:20 captures this profound exchange: "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
Notice the Greek term Paul uses for "live": zen. It denotes an active, energized spiritual existence. When Christ occupies the throne of the heart (kardia in the Greek, meaning the center of human thought, feeling, and will), our decisions, our desires, and our direction are aligned with His. Self is no longer fighting for control; instead, Christ radiates His love and guidance through every room of our lives.
The Apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 1:18 that Christ is intended to have "first place in everything." Because He is the Creator and Redeemer of our lives, He must have absolute preeminence and supremacy in our hearts, too. When He occupies the throne, we are no longer just surviving; we are living under the loving rule of the One who holds all things together.
Video
I've produced a short video about this that I think you will enjoy. Please check it out below (or watch on Youtube):
Closing Words
Friend, take a quiet moment today to examine the throne room of your heart. Is self stubbornly holding onto the seat of control, trying to force outcomes in your own strength? Or have you willingly yielded the throne to the One who bought you with His blood and reigns as King?
To move from a fragmented, self-ruled life into the fullness of Christ's lordship is the greatest pivot you can ever make. Why not ask the Lord Jesus today to come and take up His rightful place of supremacy on the throne of your heart? It is a decision you will never regret. Let Him take His rightful place on the throne today, and watch how He directs your steps with grace and power.
Attribution notice: This article was produced by Len Lacroix with assistance from artificial intelligence tools.
Do You Want to Know Him? If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus. Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?
“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15). He preached that we must repent and believe.
Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International. He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.
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