March 12

“He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” —ACTS 1:3

The kingdom of God may seem more of a sidebar issue than a mainstream message, but it is central and vital to the Gospel. Jesus frequently talked about the kingdom of God, and told several parables about it. Over a forty day period, between His resurrection and ascension, He appeared many times to His disciples and spoke to them about the kingdom of God. They had not yet been indwelt by His Spirit, and this was going to be utterly new territory for them. As Christians, it is essential that we understand the kingdom of God as it is inseparable from Christ’s indwelling Spirit and His work in our lives.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come”, and in the same sentence, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As the kingdom of God is within our hearts, the agenda of God is that His will be done in us and through us. Whenever we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we have to pray in the same breath, “My kingdom go”. For many, that presents a huge stumbling block to experiencing all that God would do in their lives, but submission to Him is essential to the purposes of God. 

God’s ultimate purpose for us is that we become participants in His work in this world. That doesn’t mean we just catch a flight to a foreign mission field, or become involved in full-time ministry. It means taking the kingdom of God into our homes, workplaces, communities, wherever we happen to be. We are Christ’s dwelling place, and our focus needs to be, “What is God’s agenda for me here?” 

Christ’s presence in us is where the purpose and activity of God is manifested, and this makes the Christian life exciting and liberating. We are under the Lordship of the Creator of the universe, which is incredibly exciting and powerful. When we give Him control of every aspect of our lives; relationships, work, finances, reputations, circumstances – everything about us becomes His business, including what He has called us to do, and that is liberating! 

God’s sole strategy in this world is people. Paul writes, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8). “In all things at all times” includes everything; nothing is left out. Under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we carry the divine resources of heaven in Him. What higher ground could we set our feet on other than the kingdom of God?

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that your kingdom will flourish in me so that I may abound in every good work for your glory. Thank You, Lord.

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I consciously aware of the kingdom of God within me wherever I go?