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 gospel of the Kingdom. 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 being 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 a “future Kingdom, of course! But until He comes with that "Future Kingdom" the "Present Kingdom" is ANYONE’S life in which the King truly rules and reigns right now.
The "Present Kingdom" looks like your life, whatever that entails.
Whether it is simply going to work, playing, or going on vacation. Whether it's being married or unmarried.
Whether it's going to a gathered meeting with 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 married, 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 being ordinary in the looks department.
Whether it's having a College degree, a Master's degree, or even a Doctorate, or NOT having finished high school.
Whether it's having traveled extensively or NEVER leaving the neighborhood.
Whether it's going to a gathered meeting with 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 married, 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 being ordinary in the looks department.
Whether it's having a College degree, a Master's degree, or even a Doctorate, or NOT having finished high school.
Whether it's having traveled extensively or NEVER leaving the neighborhood.
It's experiencing any and all of these things with OTHER things that could be listed. It’s being a person, right in the middle of all of it, in whom God is real and is being responded to, in faith, while living out our unique journey with our eyes on Him and His Word, trusting His Spirit for life and strength, knowing His Son intimately and knowing that what He accomplished in His Cross and empty tomb experience is the "SOURCE" for what makes life, in any of the afore mentioned circumstances, absolutely worth living and celebrating.
Add to all that knowing some truths that are ABSOLUTE for us as well, and you have THE KINGDOM OF GOD!.
Those truths are these! As we live in His "Present Kingdom" He is available to us and we hunger to know Him better. [Matthew 6:13/Luke 16:16] We keep on trusting that GOOD will come out of all kinds of things happening, GOOD or BAD. [Romans 8:28] And that NOTHING can separate us from His unconditional love and effective care. [Romans 8:35-39] Then, finally, knowing that one day HE WILL RETURN and the "Future Kingdom" will come with Him. We then will be found living in a new dimension, involving a New Heaven and a New Earth, called "Eternity."
Paul B.
