“For indeed the Kingdom of God is
within you.”
~Luke 17:21
Ever wonder about
the part of the Lord’s prayer that we have to say
“Thy Kingdom come”?
As a result of the
commonality of this prayer of which many of us are used to saying, we believe
that ultimately the “Kingdom of God” that we are asking, seeking and knocking
for is one which is about an imminent observable coming in which for instance
the Lord Jesus Christ as the universal king will come down from heaven to
separate the good from the bad and reward each accordingly!
How can the
Kingdom of God be within us, if we are expecting ‘Thy Kingdom come”?
In a world
saturated with violence, unnecessary killings and massacres, poverty, hatred
and plenty of hurt, disappointment and even failed dreams for a better
tomorrow, let alone the despair, doubt and uncertainty, Jesus Christ is
challenging us today to be the “Kingdom of God” on earth. We are all uniquely
made and given the Kingdom of God to dwell within us as children of God.
While it is true
that our human expectations and imaginations of the Kingdom of God is that of
the second glorious coming of Jesus Christ, which will ultimately put an end to
our sorrows and death and pave the way for everlasting joy, happiness and life,
the reality is that there will always exist in this world the good and the bad,
and those who live according to the lifestyle of Jesus Christ and believe in
him will end up becoming in part a slight image of how glorious heaven will be!
Therefore how do
we march our expectations of the Kingdom of God in our daily lives in order to
give glory to our God? In other words how can we be the kingdom of God on
earth, while awaiting the second coming of Christ!
The Kingdom of God in us
According to the
evangelist Matthew, certain criteria are necessary to enter into the Kingdom of
God and by implication telling us that if the kingdom of God is within us as
instructed by Jesus Christ our Lord, then we ought to fulfil these criteria.
When I was hungry you gave me food to eat
When I was thirsty you gave me drink
When I was a stranger you welcomed me
When I was naked you clothed me
When I was ill you cared for me
When I was in prison you visited me.
These attributes when performed from believe in God through
Jesus Christ, manifest that the kingdom of God is actually within us.
According to our Lord Jesus Christ the greatest treasure in
our life is the kingdom of God, because if the kingdom of God is within us, we
will be able to be happy in the midst of sorrows, and the harsh reality of a
world full of cruelty.
Additionally,
When we are peacemakers in the world that is too quick to
advocate for war,
When we are merciful to those that are indifferent and
nonchalant,
When we are meek, humble and honest,
When we hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness,
When we exercise clear conscience toward others,
When we are ever forgiving and
When we love man because of our love for God,
The kingdom of God is within us!
Today we are being challenged by God to become his “Kingdom”
on earth!
Today we are being asked to take the time to truly reflect
on the “LORD’S PRAYER”
And today, we are being tasked to recognize our uniqueness,
as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore live by the same example
that made the world to come to believe that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of
the living God.
Does the Kingdom of God dwell within you? If it does, put it
into action while we await the glorious return of our Jesus Christ be loving
your neighbor as yourselves, showing compassion to all and being merciful and
always forgiving, and becoming an agent of true happiness to all that come in
touch with you today!
Prayer
O dear heavenly Father,
Here am I again!
Please make me into your Kingdom of hope, love and faith, so
that through me many shall come to believe and accept my Lord Jesus Christ as
thy Son.
Grant me the grace to be an emblem of your Kingdom of peace
and righteousness and help me to be the light in the midst of darkness, love in
the center of hate, joy in the middle of sorrow, wisdom in the in doubt, hope
in despair and above all your sign of life when death surrounds us.
Hear me from the depth of my sincerely grateful and
thanksgiving heart, through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Ref: Matthew 5, 25 & Luke 17
Podeh2016
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