“NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ‘THE KINGDOM OF GOD’”
In my preparation to write this devotional, I discovered that the words ‘The Kingdom of God’ never appears in the Old Testament. ‘Kingdom of the Lord’ does appear in 2 Chronicles 13:8 and Daniel 6:26. God’s people in Old Testament times understood the concept of God’s kingship. It is this knowledge of a ‘Kingdom’ helps us to understand why John the Baptist was proclaiming Jesus’ arrival by preaching ‘Repent for the ‘Kingdom of heaven is near’. (Matt. 3:2). In John 1:29, it is stated “John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”. At Jesus’s request (in order to fulfill scripture), John baptized Jesus. Therefore, the ‘Kingdom of God’ was established on earth when Jesus Christ came into the world.
After that Jesus began to preach saying, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’. Jesus taught His followers how to enter the Kingdom of God (Matt. 7:22). Jesus told truth about the Kingdom of God through parables (Matthew 13:11). Jesus urged His followers to pray for the coming of the Kingdom thus shown in ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ (Matt. 6:9,10). Jesus promised He would come again to earth in glory to establish His Kingdom as an eternal inheritance for His people (Matt. 25:31-34). Jesus indicates in John 18:36 that ‘His kingship is not of this world’ thus stating His dominion came not from any earthly human, but from God. So, the simplest way to understand the ‘Kingdom of God’ is the realm where Jesus Christ reigns as King and God’s authority is supreme. This Kingdom exists here and now (in part) in the lives and hearts of the redeemed, as well as in perfection and fullness in the future.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS TO BE RECEIVED
Jesus teaches that one is to receive the ‘Kingdom of God’ like a small child. His teaching indicates that the kingdom is not something that we are to achieve in and of ourselves, but rather are to humbly accept. By grace we are saved. It is a gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. (Mark 10:13-16, Ephesians 2:8,9). Jesus uses a child to illustrate our dependency by which we are to rely on Him for our entrance into the kingdom. In Philippians Chapter 2, Paul illustrates Christ’s exceptional obedience. He traded His every heavenly right for a crown of thorns, so we might freely receive salvation. In exchange, the Risen King was given the right to be called Lord.
ENTRANCE INTO THE ‘KINGDOM OF GOD’ REQUIRES BELIEF AND REPENTANCE
Repentance and belief in Christ leads a person to a spiritual birth that guarantees entrance into the Kingdom. As a believer, the ‘Kingdom of God’ resides within us (Luke 17;21). In Jesus’s teaching He taught the believer of the new spiritual realm in which the person now lived. The Church is a part of the ‘Kingdom of God’ but is not the totality of His Kingdom.
THE KINGDOM OF GOD HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR BELIEVERS
As believers of Christ, we are to worship Him as Lord. Acknowledging Christ as Lord is in effect recognizing His reign. We are to live out His teaching and live in anticipation of His return. When Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, part of the directive was to pray that ‘God’s kingdom’ would come into full fruition on earth.
HOW SHOULD BELIEVERS RESPOND TO THE BIBLE’S TEACHING ON THE KINGDOM OF GOD?
1. We must realize that we are not the author of the dramas that come into our lives. This means we must develop a Biblical Worldview and look through the details of life with an eternity perspective.
2. We walk with a Kingdom mindset, I find that my trust in God is more secure than it once was. We can see that God has a plan for the world and His people. His loving and just character allow us to realize that He will see His plans through. We can trust in His plans for every believer no matter what.
3. Understanding the ‘Kingdom of God’ should give us a sense of urgency and a challenge to tell others about Christ. God’s patience with us will not last forever and at some point, Christ will return. His second coming will not be to redeem, but to judge. Because we do not know the day or time, we are to use our time wisely to help others receive the kingdom through faith in Christ.
HIS GIFT OF SALVATION IS AVAILABLE TO YOU RIGHT NOW
If you have never accepted God’s plan of salvation through Grace by Faith. why not do it right now? Repent your sins to God. Acknowledge Jesus’s death on the cross as your payment of sin to God. Ask God to forgive you through the blood of Jesus. You will then be received into the ‘Kingdom of God’.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Ps. 32:11 “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
Thanks for reading. Blessings from Carlton Ringer
