The Real Kingdom of God

-


A peaceful garden! 


Scripture

Romans 14:17

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Observation

Paul continues to be concerned that the Christians in Rome are judging one another. In fact, they seem to have become legalistic. They are arguing about food and drink in ways that reveal a very self-centered faith. Some insist they should be free to eat and drink whatever they choose. Others argue that faithful followers of Christ must abstain from certain foods or drinks.

In the midst of these debates, Paul offers a remarkable reminder. The kingdom of God is not about rules concerning food and drink. Instead, it is about "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Suddenly, the conversation moves in an entirely different direction.

Application

How often do we reduce the kingdom of God to visible actions while overlooking the deeper realities of righteousness, peace, and joy? When we become consumed with arguing over rules, we miss what God truly desires to give His people. The kingdom offers a way of life that is radically different from the values of this world.

Because we live in a world of constant news and social media, it is easy to become distracted by the arguments of the day. These debates can keep us from experiencing what God is offering through life in His kingdom.

The word righteousness invites us to consider what it means to live in right relationship with God and with others. Interestingly, Paul connects righteousness with life in the Holy Spirit. What if he is reminding us that our greatest need is to live each day in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit? When we neglect time in God's presence, we begin trying to live the Christian life through our own strength. That's when we start arguing about food and drink.

Life in the Holy Spirit is how we participate in the already-present kingdom of God. For me, that means slowing down and approaching Scripture and prayer differently. This is not another task to accomplish or another item to check off my to-do list. It is about abiding—resting in the Lord and learning what it means to be righteous because He lives in me.

Those who are truly living in the kingdom of God experience the fruit of the Spirit, including peace and joy. These are much deeper than passing emotions; they are the deep contentment of a life resting in Jesus. Even in the middle of challenges, arguments, and distractions, we can respond with righteousness and experience God's abiding peace and joy. When we live this way, others begin to see that the kingdom of God has already broken into this world.

Prayer

Lord, help me to be a faithful servant, resting in Your holy presence and abiding in Your peace and joy. Amen.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Sheep, in a Pit, on the Sabbath

-
Scripture: Matt. 12:11 He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out? Matt. 12:12 How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the sabbath.” Observation: Jesus had gone into the synagogue of the Pharisees and it was the sabbath.  The rules of the sabbath day had almost taken on a life of their own and instead of understanding the intent of a sabbath rest for the people of God, the Pharisees had made the people of God subservient to the sabbath.  Their worship of the day itself was almost (or was) idolatrous.  Here, on this sabbath day they confront Jesus with a man with a withered hand and asked him if it was legal to cure on the sabbath.  For Jesus this question was ridiculous so he answers their question with another question.  If one of your sheep falls into a pit on the sabbath, won’t you go and get it out?  Of course an o...
Read more

Take Off Your Ornaments

-
Scripture: Ex. 33:4 ¶ When the people heard these harsh words, they mourned, and no one put on ornaments. Ex. 33:5 For the LORD had said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you. So now take off your ornaments, and I will decide what to do to you.’” Ex. 33:6 Therefore the Israelites stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward. Observation: The people had sinned before God by making and worshiping the golden calf!  They had taken their golden jewelry — the earrings and other items they had gotten from the Egyptians and used them to create an idol.  Now, in an act of humility and repentance they were to take off all of their jewelry and ornaments.  It was a time of mourning over their sin and it included intentional action on the part of the Israelites.  Application: We don’t do all that well with humility and repentance!  It seems that we live in a ti...
Read more

A Centurion Named Julius

-
A Centurion Named Julius Acts 27:1 Paul Sails for Rome Chapter 27  When it was decided that we were to sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort, named Julius. Observation: Paul is being sent off to Rome and a centurion by the name of Julius is to accompany him.  Throughout this journey we learn a little about the character of this man.  Paul obviously makes an impression on him for throughout the journey Julius works to ensure the safety of Paul.  At times Julius intervenes with all of the soldiers on board and gives them orders to respond to Paul.  This man, a great Roman soldier, is remembered by name in the word of God because of his compassion toward a man in whom he saw a genuine relationship with Christ. Application: I'm writing these thoughts today from 30,000 feet in the air.  I'm wondering what it would be like to be traveling as a prisoner, with someone along t...
Read more