KINGDOM OF GOD
Romans 14:17-18: “For the kingdom of God is not eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.”
Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. This is the same as “the kingdom of heaven.” (See the lesson linked below for Jesus’ Gospel). All three persons of the Godhead—Father, Son and Holy Spirit— support the Kingdom of God.
Some Biblical phrases are used with the understanding that everyone understands what they mean. But that’s not true. The opening Scripture states clearly what the kingdom of God means.
Another Gospel message we learned in On His Cue devotion: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things [life necessities] will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).
On His Cue devotion explained the proper way to “seek His kingdom” is with humble gratitude—as God’s creation. The Father is the Creator; we are the created. He produces the film of our earthly lives.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, in which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
People are the actors.
Jesus is the director.
Jesus lived a sinless life. He bled and died for Christians’ righteousness in order to offer Christians forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus becomes our righteousness!
Christian consciences [KON-shen-ses] are at peace because Jesus’ paid our sin debt in full. Our sense of right and wrong are at peace with God and we enjoy the peace of God.
When singing precious words of our favorite hymns, or feeling our hearts race when a beloved Scripture passage is read—is the same joy the disciple’s felt. They followed Jesus for three years when He died. When they saw Him alive again, He showed them His hands and feet. They believed the risen LORD is the same as the Jesus they first met.
That joy is the baseline of Christian hearts every day because: 1) Jesus is alive, 2) sits at the Father’s right hand, and 3) intercedes for us now!
The indwelling Holy Spirit supplies power to Believers-in-Christ. His well springs up peace and joy from deep within. The kingdom of God is power that flows outside each Believer to serve Him with righteousness, peace, and joy.
Take Home Nugget
Let’s awake with joy-consciousness each day. Let’s awake in peace-consciousness each day. Let’s awake being righteousness-conscious in Christ each day.
Let’s awake each day acknowledging whose we are in Christ!
Adapted from “Flow with Righteousness, Peace, and Joy” by Rev. Joseph Prince. www.JosephPrince.org. July 21, 2017.
J.D. Griffith
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