“Give me one hundred men and women who love only God with all their heart and hate only sin with all their heart, and we will shake the gates of hell and bring in the kingdom of God in one generation.” ~ John Wesley
When you hear the phrase “The Kingdom of God,” what do you imagine? How would you define the Kingdom of God? Jesus spoke more about the Kingdom of Heaven or Kingdom of God than any other subject; what does He mean? As spiritual disciples, God commissioned us to proclaim the Kingdom of God; how do we do that?
Our purpose statement for the Kingdom of God should read something to the effect “Kingdom People Helping People Find and Follow Jesus.”
Jesus said, “not to love the world” (1 John 2:15). There is the world system, and then there is the Kingdom of God. Jesus told Pilate, “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). He also tells His audience to “Repent, for the Kingdom of God, is with you” (Matthew 4:17). The whole essence of Jesus reveals to us the true nature of God. God’s love manifested throughout the world is the Kingdom of God. The kingdom of God manifests justice, righteousness, and shalom/peace wherever and whenever present.
Proclaiming the Kingdom of God requires love and service through our voice, hands, and feet. Kingdom proclamation means speaking out and standing in solidarity for justice, righteousness, and shalom with the lost, oppressed, and needy. God will restore God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. All of creation must be saved, redeemed, healed, and restored to its original form. God will use kingdom people to accomplish God’s kingdom restoration. In short, the kingdom of God is wherever you are, proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Lord, Your kingdom is not of this world, at least not yet. You teach us that process of salvation will restore Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Please grant me the wisdom to know the difference between the world system and the Your kingdom. Please remove from me everything that loves this world, and give me the willingness to remain sold-out for helping bring forth Your kingdom wherever I may be. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine always materialize, now and forever, Amen.
Leave a Reply