The Hallmarks of the Kingdom People, Part 2 – Luke 8:8-10

The kingdom of God abides and operates in all believers. There are internal and external marks of kingdom evidence in Christians. These marks are seen in producing fruit up to a hundredfold as the gospel takes root and bears fruit.

The distinct feature of kingdom people is they are able to hear the voice of God (v 8). Hearing is better than seeing (Ro. 10:14, 17). Thus, hearing the gospel and the Word of God is what is most important for anyone, whether to believe in Christ Jesus for salvation or continue to grow in spiritual understanding.

The Spirit of God is who regenerates our heart, allows someone to have spiritual understanding in the first place that leads to repentance and faith. And it is through Scripture that God speaks personally before someone believes. Sanctification, then, occurs through continual understanding until glorification.

As Jesus says, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear”, a person can only hear God through the Bible. The Bible is the only right source. Reading coupled with the Holy Spirit enables Christians to gain an understanding of God’s intending meaning. More importantly, prayer to God for understanding is so vital as God is the author of sacred Scripture.

Trust in God results in having confidence in what we hear and understand from the Bible. Naturally, trust leads to obedience (Phil. 2:8; Mk. 4:10). In other words, hearers delight in the word of God. Kingdom citizens take pleasure in His word and find joy in it. What distinguishes believers and unbelievers is the heart attitude towards the word of God. The disciple of God loves God and His word. Mere knowledge does not make one a kingdom citizen nor can it lead to obedience, but heart transformation leads to obedience.

To reiterate, God is the only one that is able to grant divine understanding to a sinner to hear and delight in Him and His word. Without God’s grace, there is no life or understanding. Transformation can only take place through the supernatural work of God by His grace through faith (Gal. 2:20). If we are granted grace, we must genuinely and sincerely repent as we see the love of God on the cross. Repentance, faith, and humility follow upon being given grace as we understand what Jesus has done for us.

Therefore, the spiritual understanding given by the Holy Spirit to the Christian leads to delighting in Him and His word, which is evidenced in a life of obedience and bearing fruit for His glory.