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September, 2004

The Kingdom of God

(The Kingdom of Heaven)

   “The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”             

                             Matthew 13:45-46 NKJV

The kingdom of God is where God reigns supreme.  For Christians, it also means His kingly rule within us -- an inner reality.  It is the presence of God, the presence of Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit touching us invisibly but deeply and personally -- closer to us than our breath or the beat of our hearts.

When I was growing up, I thought the kingdom of God was difficult to understand and something I did not need to think about.  But when I learned what Jesus said about the kingdom, I began to realize its importance for all of us.

"It was after John's arrest that Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, saying, "The time has come at last  the kingdom of God has arrived.  You must change your hearts and minds and believe the good news . . . the kingdom of God is within you.” [1]

In the English language, the word “kingdom” is understood as something geographical and static.  In the Hebrew language, it is something continually active, dynamic and evolving.  The apostle Paul wrote, “the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”[4] When the kingdom of God is dwelling within us, a new quality of living becomes possible.  The negative things that happen to us are a result of the frailty and sin of humankind.  What God promises is that the inner reign of His kingdom will equip us to meet these challenges and overcome.  With His indwelling presence come special insights so that we become increasingly creative and effective. These are some of the treasures of the kingdom -- a glorious inner wealth that no one can take from us.[5]

Jesus said four specific things about who will enter His Father’s kingdom: 

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again . . . born of the Spirit.”[6]  God is Spirit and we must be born of the Spirit to enter His kingdom and have fellowship with Him.  We are born again when we believe and receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”[7]   The poor in spirit recognize they are in great need of a source for living beyond themselves -- a source found in our Creator alone.

 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”[8]  Repentance means confessing our wrongdoing and turning from our selfish ways back to God.  It brings forgiveness and cleansing.  From the beginning to the end of His ministry, Jesus emphasized repentance.[9

 “Unless you change your whole outlook and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”[10]  It is not that God withholds His kingdom, but we turn our backs on it.  The pride we have in our self-sufficiency is the opposite of a humble recognition of need.  Either in arrogance or ignorance, we choose to go our own way and God will not force Himself or His kingdom upon us

When we experience something of the kingdom of God here on earth, it is a foretaste of what we can look forward to after death.  Perhaps this is why Jesus taught that, throughout our lives, we are to pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.”[11]  We are also to place God’s kingdom as a top priority, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.”[12]  We are co-heirs with Christ to all the blessings of the kingdom because Christ belongs to God and we belong to Christ.[13

Jesus likened the kingdom to a wedding -- an inner wedding of spiritual unity, bringing wholeness and unification with God, with others and within ourselves.[14]  If we seek it as a treasure hidden in a field, or a lost pearl, we will begin to experience the glory of God’s wedding banquet -- here and now -- a wonderful, glorious banquet, filled with beauty, truth, peace and joy.  And we will be preparing ourselves for a full appreciation for the banquet that awaits us in heaven

   “I appoint unto you a kingdom as my Father has appointed unto me.  That you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom.” 

Luke 22:29-30a

A Thought to Ponder

Why would becoming like little children help us to receive the blessings of the kingdom of God?  Matthew 18:3-4

A Suggestion for Prayer-Listening  

     When Jesus said the kingdom of God was like a pearl of great price, He encourages us to set aside things of lesser value so we can receive the blessings of the kingdom, which are of greater value. [15] 

Heavenly Father, is there something in my life you want me to set aside so that I may receive more of your kingdom

A Suggestion for Meditation

Meditate on each of the following words that Paul used to describe God’s kingdom: [16]

                        righteousness

                        peace and

                        joy in the Holy Spirit

 In silence and stillness, allow God to fill you with these blessings of His kingdom.

A Personal Note

It is amazing to me that God is pleased to give His kingdom to those who love Him!  God is love and He is eternally creative.  So we know that to share in His kingdom certainly means we will be transformed by His love and live a life far greater in meaning and creativity than we ever thought possible.  Praise God that He loves us so much He wants us to share in all His kingdom blessings!   Luke 12:32    James 2:5    Romans 8:16-1-7

Encouragement to Ministry Leaders

When we step out to serve others in the name and love of Jesus, we are inviting them to share in the blessings of the kingdom of God.  But before we offer ourselves in service, we need to offer ourselves first to God in a time of silence – just drawing near to Him, loving Him and receiving His love.  Then our acts of service will have the anointing of His love and the power of His Spirit.is Spirit      His  We are Christ’s ambassadors for His Father’s kingdom, united as Christ’s body and as His bride.  What a glorious privilege to join Jesus in His mission to the world!

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