SCRIPTURE: Luke 17
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you. [Luke 17:20-21] What is the kingdom of God? It is the world as God created it to be – paradise. Unfortunately, our hearts are twisted, and paradise has been lost. Jesus makes it clear that this kingdom is not something that happens outside of us (through political, military or social means), but that begins inside of us. We need to be changed on the inside – to become like Jesus – before the kingdom can be experienced. The kingdom of God is in us, when God and Jesus live in us, by the Spirit, and we live in obedience to Him.
The problem is that sinful hearts keep us from surrendering to the Lord. Ten are healed, but only one comes back, only one is open to the King. The end of time will not be a grand welcome for the King but a violent rejection. This description of the end times is not a picture of the church being taken out of the world (some see the rapture described here) but the kingdom being restored and unrepentant sinners removed. Those who closed their hearts to the Lord will receive their hearts desire – eternity without the Lord.
The focus of the kingdom is this world, not heaven. This kingdom does not come through worldly means but through surrender to Jesus, accepting His position as the Son of Man (the restored Adam ruling over creation, as it was meant to be) and following His kingdom ways in our hearts. To say “your kingdom come” means to let His will be done here on earth, or in us and among us! As we allow the Spirit to produce the kingdom way of life in us (i.e. the fruit of the Spirit), the kingdom that is within us overflows around us.
Let’s get practical. Look around, where you live, where you work. How do people around me experience me? Am I a ‘taste’ of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.? Then the kingdom is overflowing from within me. Am I like Jesus to the needy, the broken, the lonely, the hurt around me? Do they get a ‘taste’ of paradise from me? We are here to help usher in God’s world, and we do this by living according to its design. It starts with a decision to surrender to Jesus as King; it follows with a determination, with His Spirit’s help, to live like Him. At the end of time, those who live for the King like this will be a part of His established new world. But those who refuse to surrender will be “taken away”.
PRAYER:
Lord, may Your kingdom come – in me, through me.
I had to agree about those things on sin. It really prevents us from coming too close to God and even to our inner self. Don’t let it get the better of you.
Oh be careful little . . . are the words of a child’s song. I need to be careful that I am not a stumbling block to anyone. As a teacher that too has great implications. In all things I must need be an agent for growth – growing in faith – growing in the Lord. That reminds me of a question asked yesterday by a student – in one sentence tell me about your faith. And my response was – as far as it depends upon me, I must live at peace with all mankind according to His Word.
Therefore I must also forgive my brother. I will also help my ‘servants.’ I will praise the Lord God Who has made me glad since He has given all these things to me. As with Noah, who was busy doing God’s work, so I too must be busy working in His kingdom until I see Him face to face. I am not my own, but belong to Him and so I must serve Him in all I do and say. Everyday. Always. GrowStrong. LiveStrong.
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Praise Him, praise Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Love Him, love Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love;
Thank Him, thank Him, all ye little children,
God is love, God is love.