What do we mean when we say "Kingdom
Living?"
It might be good to know because it is clear from
scripture [Luke 4:43] that Jesus came preaching the Kingdom of God. His life
and message were all about what the Kingdom was like. So to be "Jesus
followers," and more importantly, when we have Him as the very source of
our very life, we will have our feet firmly planted in Kingdom living.
So, what is the Kingdom of God? It is, in simple
language, living life where what God wants done, [His Will] is done. That's
what the simple phrase in the Lord's prayer is addressing. "Thy Kingdom
come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven." It will be. But
until He comes with that "Future Kingdom" the "Present Kingdom"
is ANYWHERE the King truly rules and reigns in someone's life right now.
The "Present Kingdom" looks like your
life, whatever that entails.
Whether it's going to work, play or being on vacation.
Whether it's being married or unmarried. Whether it's going to a gathered
meeting of your part of the Church, whatever you call that group, or not going
to a gathered meeting. Whether it's seeing a child born or family member or
friend die. Whether it's being young, old, or somewhere in between. Whether
it's being divorced or being abandoned. Whether it's being healthy or sick.
Whether it's being wealthy or living from pay check to pay check. Whether it's
seeing the beauty of God's creation or being blind and seeing darkness all of
your life. Whether it's being handsome or homely, beautiful or plain, or just
being ordinary in the looks department, the talent department or the career
department. Whether it's having a College degree, a Master's degree or even a
Doctorate, or not having finished even high school. Whether it's having
traveled extensively or never leaving the neighborhood.
It's experiencing any one of those things, or other
things that could be listed, and being a person where God is real and responded
to in faith while living out life on our unique journey with our eye on Him guided by His Word, trusting His Spirit for life and strength, knowing His Son and
knowing that what He accomplished in His incredible Cross and empty tomb experience is the
"SOURCE" for everything that makes life, in any of the mentioned circumstances,
absolutely worth living and celebrating. All the time knowing some truths that are absolute
for us all the days of our journey.
Some of those truths are that, as we live in His
"Present Kingdom..."
He is available to us as we hunger to know Him better. [Matthew 6:13/Luke 16:16]
As we live life we can trust that good [by His definition] will come out of all kinds of things happening, good or bad.[By our definition] [Romans 8:28]
We can trust that NOTHING can or will separate us from His unconditional love and effective care. [Romans 8:35-39]
Then, finally, we know with assurance that one day HE WILL RETURN and the "Future Kingdom" will come with Him with all of what that means in a new dimension called "Eternity."
We are truly comforted by these words. [1 Thessalonians 4:18]
He is available to us as we hunger to know Him better. [Matthew 6:13/Luke 16:16]
As we live life we can trust that good [by His definition] will come out of all kinds of things happening, good or bad.[By our definition] [Romans 8:28]
We can trust that NOTHING can or will separate us from His unconditional love and effective care. [Romans 8:35-39]
Then, finally, we know with assurance that one day HE WILL RETURN and the "Future Kingdom" will come with Him with all of what that means in a new dimension called "Eternity."
We are truly comforted by these words. [1 Thessalonians 4:18]
THAT'S what we mean by "Kingdom Living."
Paul B.
Paul B.
5 comments:
Paul,
I could not count the number of brethren in Christ who have asked me for advice regarding "living" as a child of the Kingdom.
Your words are much as I explained: "The "Present Kingdom" looks like your life, whatever that entails".
There has been so much "super spiritual" nonsense pouring fourth for decades that confusion reigns amongst so many sincere believers.
The Apostles advice to the Colossian believers always springs to mind for me, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,giving thanks to God the Father through him".
That's living worship in the Present Kingdom, as your "Whether" paragraph shows!
Aussie J,
Again, you've nailed it in a comment.
This... "And whatever you do, IN WORD OR DEED, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him"....is my mantra for living life in the freedom that grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit brings. It IS biblical Christianity in a nutshell.
I love this post! I think what you're saying is that "Kingdom living" is our day-to-day living in our present circumstances. That's encouraging for me as sometimes I don't feel important enough for the King to take notice of. I am fully aware of Him and what He has done for us as far as salvation goes. But how does this (often miserable) day-to-day living reflect His Kingdom? How is His love reflected in our lives if we are subject to turmoil, heartache, uncertainty, etc.
Maybe there's no easy answers, huh?
Anyway, I heard the saying that some people are so heavenly minded that they're no earthly good. I've not found that to be true of you, Paul. Your posts are full of helpful, reasonable, and logical perspectives based on spiritual principles that apply to daily living. Thanks again!
Mary Ann
Paul,
This morning I was reading something written by Eberhard Arnold speaking about the people of the Beatitudes of who Jesus spoke,the "blessed".
Don't tell anyone :)
I felt I ought to share it:
".. they are both poor and rich at the same time. They are people of faith who have nothing in themselves and yet possess everything in God. In spite of failing again and again, they try to reveal God’s invisible nature through their deeds. Just as they themselves receive mercy, so they pour mercy on all in need. They are on the side of poverty and suffering, on the side of all who suffer injury, and they are ready to be persecuted with them for the sake of justice. They know that they cannot go through life without struggle and that their opponents’ slander will fall on them like a hailstorm; yet they rejoice in this struggle and remain the peacemakers who overcome opposition everywhere and conquer enmity through love. The people of the Beatitudes are the people of love. They live from God’s heart, and there they feel at home. The law of the spirit of life has set them free from the inescapable law of sin and death; no power can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus.This is the essence of true religious experience: richness in God and poverty in oneself."
Aussie J, Victoria,
I apologize for being away from my blog for the past several days. I sure don't like not responding to comments and especially the two of you who are so faithful to read my posts.
Aussie j, Great quote.
Victorious,
I know what you're saying. I've even been in the territory of those thoughts. When I do get there, the story of the sparrow keeps coming to mind. Doesn't give any answers perhaps, but it sure shows a truth I had forgotten in the moment.
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