The Kingdom of God Among Us
Good Morning Friends,
Success in the Kingdom of God is based on something very different than the world’s way of gaining success. It is based on an enduring relationship with the Divine… a process of commitment to a covenant and less on thinking…for there would be too much to think about on this topic and still be devotional. It is revelation…the light of understanding that the meaning of holy history is The Kingdom of God Among Us.
Scripture:
21nor will they say, “Look, here it is!” or “There it is!” For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among* you.’
Luke 17:21 (NRSV)Top of Form
Bottom of Form
36Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’
John 18:36 (NRSV)
8Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because* the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.
1 John 2:8 (NRSV)
4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. 6For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:4-12 (NRSV)
26He also said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, 27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.’
Mark 4:26-29 (NRSV)
Message: Our present task now is to work for the Kingdom of God as if Jesus would not return until well into the next century but at the same time be ready if He should return tonight even as we live in the mystery that the Spirit of God is abiding in us this very moment. Applying this to our own lives we learn that this means we must deny our false selves and let Jesus lead us to our true self in the Kingdom of God as part of the Body of Christ, for the Kingdom is Christ in us. It is not about having it our way. It is about focusing on building up the community of believers in love. It is about learning the art of discretion… learning to base our decisions on the freedom of faith but in a way that shows forth our love. Sure we are to focus on the Kingdom of God and the priorities that are central to the Kingdom, but not in the sweet bye and bye but now in the daily moments of life…hidden in the holiness of daily life…like a seed in the ground. It is about righteousness, peace and the joy in the Holy Spirit from the inside out, for the Kingdom of God is about helping people be right with God through Jesus, not about personal preferences. The focus of the Kingdom is on the heart, the good news and making sure we are not a stumbling block to others. There are many kingdoms that will attempt to compete with the Kingdom of God. Seeking the Kingdom means choosing not just what is good, but what is the best thing that will make us more loving, joyous, peaceful, patient, kind, good, gentle, faithful and pure. It is glorifying God without spectacle. Friends, we are to submit to the Lord of the harvest, submit to His dominion, control and rule over what God wills to grow in the garden of our hearts and minds for the purpose of faith through grace as God nurtures the Kingdom of God in us.
Pray that we enter into the Kingdom submitting to Jesus not in a private way but as a transforming force…an almost silent celebration of community…growing like a mustard seed. Pray that the peace in our lives would be reflected in the harmony and mutual support Christians are to enjoy with each other. Pray that we experience joy that comes as a result of God’s Spirit among us. Pray that we embrace service to Jesus in a way that brings people we disagree with closer to God. Pray that we realize the issue is not just theology but relationship. Pray we take the mote out of our eye so we might focus on the Kingdom. Pray that we first seek the kingdom of God and look first to what God provides. Pray we have the courage to invest in the Kingdom of God…. Pray we are fit for service in the Kingdom of God. Pray we remember that if we do not become as little children we will not enter into the Kingdom of God. Pray we are joined together as the Body of Christ in the mystery of life and love.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 