Often times when we think of the Kingdom of God we think in terms of heaven or that realm where all things are made right and good. Christ is there as Lord and all sin is done away with and there is nothing but holiness, righteousness and fellowship with God for all eternity. To think in this way is totally correct for that will be the atmosphere or the environment of Gods righteous kingdom when it is finally ushered in complete and in it's fullness.
There is a side to this kingdom that we can enjoy today and that is the liberty we have because of Jesus Christ. Because of His life and death and resurrection we have a freedom from trying to earn our way into this kingdom. We don't have to be good enough, or to try harder to be found acceptable for entrance to this new reality. Jesus has accomplished all that was required for you and me to partake of salvation and His kingdom. When we realize this, and we get a grasp of what that means for us in the present, the result is freedom, rest, peace and a sense of joy that everything is right between ourselves and the Lord. Yes, we entertain a great and deep hope and look forward to eternity in God's presence. But we also have a sense of joy today because the issue of our salvation and eternal destiny is settled. We are free to worship God, but we are also free to just be ourselves. God is the one who is working within us to mature us, and grow us into conformity to His image. He accepts us as we are, but works to mold us into who He sees we can be.
This is a cause for great joy, and a sense of confidence as we live today. No wonder the Apostle Paul wrote to the Roman church these words,"...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." {Rom.14:17} He was helping the Roman believers to be careful in what they were eating and drinking so as not to cause another believer to stumble or to fall into a condemning attitude. He emphasized freedom to eat and drink what we felt was alright, as long as it doesn't cause a brother or sister to stumble in their peace or walk with Christ. If you are OK with something, great, but be OK with it for yourself and be mindful of those around us, just in case they may not be.
He says that because in due time the Kingdom of God will do away with all the things in this world, food, drink, practices, traditions, good or bad, all things will become new. But in the mean time we can exercise freedom, discretion and have joy in our walk with Jesus Christ, because the Kingdom of God is a kingdom of peace, rightness, and true Spirit created joy.
There is no need to live under a self imposed religious burden like so many do. We can enjoy liberty and peace as we serve or Lord Jesus. In fact, when we live in this way we actually are living declarations that the kingdom of God has indeed come. That is part of our witness to Jesus and salvation by faith in Him. A burdened down, droopy Christian is not going to entice very many to consider Jesus. But one who lives in the joy of the Lord, no matter the circumstances and tough times life brings, that person is one who the Holy Spirit uses to touch a soul burdened with a sinful load. Freedom is what they need, and freedom is what we have, because of the kingdom of God.
The Kingdom of God will one day be here in it's fullness. But don't forget to avail ourselves of the joy of our hope for that day-- today!
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