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The Kingdom of God In Nebuchadnezzar’s vision, Daniel understood that God was promising to set up a Kingdom on earth during the days of the Roman Empire. That Kingdom would grow from a stone into a mountain, until it filled all the earth and was the dominant force among all the kingdoms of men.
Jesus came proclaiming that Kingdom and bringing it near to earth; and Paul declared the character of that Kingdom as consisting of righteousness, peace, and joy. The Holy Spirit is the operative agent and motive force of the Kingdom of God. Thus, wherever the Spirit of God is, we must expect that He will manifest His presence in terms of the progress of this glorious and irresistible realm.
Growth by increments But we make a mistake if we think of the Kingdom of God as advancing in huge leaps by massive undertakings and through vast and powerful agencies. This is not the way God’s Kingdom comes. Rather, it comes like leaven in a loaf, the light of the new day sun, and salt in stew – slowly, gradually, steadily, until everything is affected and transformed by its presence. Looked at another way, the Kingdom of God advances on earth like a starfish, in millions of minute, everyday steps, or like an army advancing on all fronts at a steady, unremitting pace.
Thus, if the Spirit of God lives in us – if, that is, we are true Christians – we must believe that He will seek to advance the rule of King Jesus, this Kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy, on all fronts in our lives, simultaneously, steadily, increasingly, and with powerful effects. We, therefore, must learn to surrender every area of our lives to the rule of God’s Spirit, so that He may teach us how each area is to be transformed for Christ-likeness in order to advance the Kingdom of God in our lives. This is full-time work, but it is glorious work, to be sure.
Full-time citizens Some people who profess faith in Jesus Christ only want to work on the Kingdom when they’re in church or at church activities. They put on their best clothes, tote up their Bibles, chat up their Christian friends, and, for all the world, look like this area of their lives is pretty well knocked out for the Kingdom of God. However, in their homes they are cold to their wives, mean to their children, and indifferent to their neighbors. At work they carp and complain and join in whatever vulgar conversations may be in going on in the break room. They give their free time to television or other diversions, and they spend the bulk of their money and energy on themselves.
Yet the Spirit of God is seeking to transform every one of these areas of our lives into outposts of the Kingdom, areas where we are consciously invested in raising the banner of Jesus Christ and His glory. This requires a new mindset, new commitments, and an undertaking so constant, plodding, and “everyday” that the Scriptures refer to it as a “walk.” If we walk in the Spirit, Paul says, we will not live our lives like everybody else around us (Gal. 5:16-23); rather, we will live like an army on the march for a Kingdom that cannot fail, and we will do so in every area of our lives, at all times, to the praise of the glory of God’s grace. If the prospect of this excites and challenges you, then it’s a pretty good bet that you have the Spirit of God.
Next steps
What is the relationship between the local church and the Kingdom of God? Ask some of your church leaders to explain this to you. Is your church truly seeking the Kingdom of God? Are the effects of the Spirit evident in your church? See what you can do to help bring more of the life of God’s Spirit to the people of your church, and get started right away doing so.
Begin your own ViewPoint study group. Begin with this ViewPoint series, “The Effects of the Spirit.” A free PDF version is available, complete with questions for reflection and discussion which you can use to study the seven lessons in this series with others.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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