The Kingdom of GodНамуна

The Nature of this Kingdom

Besides not being here yet, and being a perfect kingdom, what is it that defines the Kingdom of God? For the longest time, I was content simply knowing that God’s kingdom is perfect and that this world is broken, but when this causes despair, I simply plead for Jesus to return, crying, “Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus quickly! Fix this world and establish your rightful rule.” This is a good and right response to our current reality. However, as I read through Romans recently, I was shocked by 14:17: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Here we see three defining factors of this Kingdom:

1) Righteousness- Apart from Jesus, we are unrighteous. We must be clothed in his righteousness, and God has provided us this through faith. The holy Son of God’s perfection is credited to us by grace through faith. By faith in Christ, we die to our old self and are made a new creation by which we are able to walk in righteousness. God’s kingdom is defined by the righteousness of Christ being given to his people and, in turn, his people continually being reshaped and reformed into Christ’s likeness (i.e., living out this righteousness).

2) Peace- God’s people have peace with God, his people, and as far as is possible with them, are to be at peace with all men. This peace is a distinguishing factor of God’s kingdom. This type of peace eliminates hate, promotes love and creates a community that is safe and free.

3) Joy- there are many things in life that could bring one joy, but the joy that defines God’s kingdom is the joy that comes from him. It is deep-rooted and unaffected by earthly situations but affects how we are able to respond here on earth.

All of these are rooted “in the Holy Spirit.” As we seek to obey God by living out his righteousness (our sanctification), we will walk in step with the spirit, seek his filling, grow in his fruit and utilize his gifts which in turn build up the Body of Christ and promote a peace which surpasses all earthly understanding in our communities.