The Kingdom of God

During a Bible study recently, we briefly discussed the kingdom of God as a group.  There is a large amount of detail scattered throughout the pages of scripture that provide information about God's kingdom.  Some may assume it must include everything that is, similar to how Psalm 24:1 sums up creation:  "The earth is the LORD'S, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein."  Because God is the sovereign creator and ruler over all things, they view everything as His kingdom.  This is similar to saying, "We're all God's children."  Christians know this is only true to a point:  mankind has been created in God's image, yet the only way to become a child of God is by faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus will say to many on the day of judgment and cast them out:  "Depart from me...I never knew you!"  God knows every child of God who knows Him by faith in Christ.

While God does rule over all things, it is important to maintain a distinction between what is physical and temporal (what is passing away) and what is spiritual and eternal.  When Jesus was grilled by Pontius Pilate concerning His kingdom, Jesus told Him it was not of this world (John 18:36).  Christ's kingdom is a spiritual kingdom where some are received into it, and others are unable to enter it.  Jesus revealed He is the Door to the kingdom of God, and it is possible for people to see and enter His kingdom by faith in Him as John 3:3 said to Nicodemus:  "Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  It is difficult to enter into God's kingdom, but Jesus exhorted believers to greater faith in God in Luke 18:25-27:  "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ²⁶ And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?" ²⁷ But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom which can be entered by faith in Jesus, and Jesus revealed knowledge of His spiritual and eternal kingdom to people who thought it was like an earthly kingdom in 

Luke 17:20-21:  "Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."  Since Jesus was speaking with Pharisees who largely rejected Him as God and Messiah, Jesus explained how He brought God's kingdom near them--and entry into it was at hand and in their grasp through faith in Him.  In their case His kingdom being within them (as unbelievers) was theoretical, but Jesus is able to establish His kingdom in the hearts of all who trust Him.  Jesus brought the kingdom of God to people when He cast out demons, demonstrating the power of God over the rule of Satan (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20)

Many parables Jesus spoke concerned the "kingdom of heaven" and illustrated various aspects of it:  that it is inclusive (available to all people) but at the same time exclusive (reserved only for those who are born again by faith in Him), is most precious and valuable, starts small yet will increase exponentially, and what is hidden now will be revealed and declared.  The kingdom of God will take one form when Jesus Christ returns and establishes His throne in Jerusalem, and His kingdom will endure forever in the new heavens and new earth God will create where only righteousness dwells.  We are not told everything about God's kingdom, but Jesus has revealed enough to demonstrate it is the greatest, everlasting, most wonderful kingdom to be included in and to be citizens of by His grace.  The question is, are we willing to meet God's conditions to enter in His kingdom's narrow gate by faith in Jesus?

Knowing God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life, we sinners are wise to repent of sin and receive Jesus by faith.  Those who are poor in spirit God will make rich in faith, and He will also make us heirs of the kingdom He has promised to them who love Him (James 2:5)!  Rather than worrying and seeking things of this world to meet our needs, Jesus taught His disciples in Luke 12:31-32:  "But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. ³² Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."  Since the KING OF KINGS has given Himself for us, will any good thing of His kingdom be withheld from us?  Ought we not seek Him and give our lives to Him as His loyal, loving servants?

Know Your End

In a world that hypes up how strong, fierce and independent people can be, God leads His people to consider their frailty so He might be their strength.  David prayed humbly according to God's will in Psalm 39:4-5, "LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. ⁵ Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Selah"  Slaying the Philistine champion did not bolster David's self-confidence but worked to increase God-reliance when enemies came against him.  Esteeming God above others and himself was key to David's successful rule.

David asked for God to impress his own mortality upon him, the realisation that his days on earth were relatively short.  It is good we would recognise and acknowledge our weakness so we might seek strength in God; it benefits us to remember our lives on earth will have an end so we will not take moments God has given us for granted.  At our wisest, strongest, wealthiest and influential, we are altogether vanity.  Knowing our frailty and brevity of life compels us not to live our lives in vain, for Jesus Christ our LORD redeems us so our lives can be profitable for the kingdom of God and for eternity.

We cannot know the times and seasons God has in His own power, and we do not know how many hours, days or years we have left on earth.  Yet the LORD has told us in His word the end of all those made righteous by faith in God.  By the prophetic power of the Holy Spirit, David answered his own query in Psalm 37:37:  "Mark the blameless man, and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace."  Jesus has been revealed as our peace who imputes righteousness to all who trust in Him, has reconciled Jew and Gentile to Himself and united us in His Body (Ephesians 2:14-17).  By His atoning sacrifice Jesus has come and preached peace to all, and all who have received Him are given the right to become children of God.

The mighty men and women of the earth will be brought to the grave, and not one is able to reverse the consequences of sin that brings death.  The lives of Christians can end in a most violent fashion, yet by the Gospel we know our future is peace and rest in our glorious Saviour who is risen and reigns on high.  Our lives are vapour, yet God has redeemed us from the power of the grave and promised us a home in His glorious kingdom forever.  This is a better end to our life story than we could have ever dreamed--made possible by God's grace--a new beginning in heavenly glory for eternity.

Your Gut or God?

In my mind, one of the most cringeworthy words of priestly advice on the silver screen were spoken in the D.C. movie Superman when Henry Cavill entered a church.  As Clark Kent wrestled with the idea of turning himself in to an alien invader to save the earth--knowing both General Zod and mankind were untrustworthy--the priest, identified by his white collar, asked:  "What does your gut tell you?"  From a biblical perspective, that question is entirely out of left field.  What good is a gut feeling when we can turn to God's word, considering God's truth, goodness and His personal guidance already established?

The priest doubled-down on strange advice as the budding superhero and future household-name walked from the room:  "Sometimes you have to take a leap of faith first...the trust part comes later."  Again, this advice was more whimsical than wise.  Never in the brief conversation was there any inkling to place faith in God, and that faith is trust marked by obedience to God.  It seems this "leap of faith" to the priest was a blind leap and simply wishing for the best, and that Clark was best served to go with his gut, rely on himself or others.  With God completely out of the picture (as D.C. comics have no place in its universe for the real God--preferring idols who wear tights and have a weakness), perhaps that is the best anyone can hope for.  This provides no hope for humanity unless you possess superhuman abilities and are a mild-mannered, nice guy.

The God who created the heavens, earth and all living things provides genuine hope in this life even when everything is out of our control.  To follow Jesus is no leap of faith, for He calls all to follow Him in the Bible and find rest for our souls.  Having been born again by trust in Him, our feet are shod with the Gospel of peace and have been made to stand on the reality of the God-Man Jesus Christ:  His coming, death, resurrection and ascension.  No priest, nun, prophet, apostle or martyr ever died for the sake of others and rose from the dead as he or she predicted three days later, and in doing so Jesus proved He has all God's authority and can give eternal life to all who trust in Him.  If Jesus did not rise from the dead after being crucified and buried in a tomb, it would be a leap of faith to follow Him--and there would be no one who survived the jump and landed in heaven.  Faith in Christ comes first, and our trust is demonstrated by obedience to Him.

I read an article recently by a professing atheist who said at a low point a priest "helped restore faith in herself."  Unlike the headline suggests, it was evident the priest intended to glorify Jesus.  Unlike the advice given by the priest in the film, the priest shared the teaching of Jesus Christ with his desire the inmate would trust Him.  Without faith in Jesus as God and Saviour, it seems the Gospel was reduced to a self-help mental exercise that missed the heart transformation, forgiveness and salvation God offers by His grace.  Being born again is infinitely more than blind faith, for Jesus opens the eyes of the blind and is trustworthy.  It is not our gut but God who has spoken in John 1:11-13:  "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."  God has revealed His will for humanity, and He gives each of us the opportunity to answer the question:  will you trust Jesus?

Desolate Waste no Longer

God is awesome in all His ways and thoughts which are higher than ours.  As the Creator of heaven and earth and all living things, He has thought of everything and provides abundantly for our needs.  Jesus taught His disciples not to worry about their life, what they would eat or wear, for the LORD can be trusted for all things.  Jesus directed His followers to consider the birds, how they did not build storehouses for food but were supplied with food by God every day.  He told them to think about lovely lilies, how they did not work to be clothed with beautiful colours and king Solomon in his glory could not compare to them.  Jesus concluded in Matthew 6:30:  "Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

In God's revelation of Himself to Job, I was struck how God cares for what people never observe or see.  When I worked in a building trade, often concealed work people would never see had a lower standard than finished, exposed work in a mechanical room.  We can do the same with the condition of our houses, for we prepare before the arrival of guests or a home inspection differently than usual by scurrying around to tidy up.  See what God said in Job 38:25-27:  "Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, or a path for the thunderbolt, ²⁶ to cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, a wilderness in which there is no man; ²⁷ to satisfy the desolate waste, and cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?"  It is God who divides channels for waters to flow and makes a path for the thunderbolt.  Mankind has developed many innovations to improve irrigation for relatively small areas, yet God does this constantly in places no man sees.

God satisfies the unseen, desolate wastes in due season so they no longer remain dry and barren.  We buy seed or sod to beautify our little patch of yard and carefully water it because it is ours:  the heavens and the earth are the LORD's and the fulness thereof, and thus He cares for it (and us!) continually.  What is true concerning the watering of land is insightful concerning the hearts and minds of people, places that are unknown and unseen by others.  Paul used an spiritual illustration from agriculture in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase."  God is the giver of life who plants, waters and causes to grow, and He empowers His people to contribute in the process.  Know that God is working behind the scenes in the lives of people to soften, irrigate and prepare hearts to receive the Gospel, to respond to rebuke and be edified by encouragement so He will be glorified--long before we have done anything.