Romans 14:17,18 NIV – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the HOly Spirit, becasue anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
The essence of this Scripture is that we have been given life so that we are free to live in the grace that comes through Jesus the Christ.
What the kingdom of God is not. It is not rules, systems and rgulations by which we accomplish the work of God or are somehow brought near or closer to God. The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking…
What is the kingdom of God? The kingdom of God is the product of the Holy Spirit. It is what believers are intended for. It is a place of no condemnation. It is filled with his grace, love and life. In his kingdom there are no dead things. In 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 is a list of some of the dead things we all lived in at one time. Then our Lord’ Word says – And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God – 1 Corinthians 6:11.
How does our Lord continue to deal with us along our journey? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you twoard repentance? Romans 2:4 NIV. His kindness is the path that leads us to repentance without condemnation, which takes us back to the kingdom of God and it is there we find the intmacy we so long fo.
The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit… When these three are the description of our character, grace reigns in our lives without obstacles.
It is the kindness of God, which leads us to repentance that brings the intimacy that we so desire. It is the intimacy that allows us to walk through the gate of faith into his kingdom, which is walled by grace, and participate in righteousness, peace and joy.
Matthew 6:33 NIV – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Enjoy your journey, being overwhelmed by grace.
Philippians 4:4-7 NIV – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
My wife, up to six years ago used to ride Harley’s with me. The truth of the matter is that I have been on motorcycles most of my life. In fact my wife and I dated and fell in love on a motorcycle. In those days, I had a Triumph. Something about taking a ride down a beautiful two-lane road that refreshes and relaxes the heart and soul. I find taking a vacation on a Harley very enjoyable, but now we take those vacations in a truck and 5th wheel RV. What is this all about.
It is about forgetting all the nonsense that every single moment in life is serious. Our Lord takes no delight in seeing us trapped or squirming in some situation. In fact, Jesus the Christ came to set us free. When our Lord said – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” Mark 12:30 NIV. It was so that we can think, love and enjoy his life freely.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6,7 The Message
If we follow our Lord’s stated procedure, once knowing Jesus the Christ, we will free ourselves to relax and enjoy the experience of being overwhelmed by grace. What an enjoyable way to live.
James 2:14 NIV – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
James leaves no place for a belief that is mere mental acceptance of the truth. James brings out again that faith must give birth, which can be seen in the situations of everyday life. Here in James 2:14-26 he makes another application of the bedrock principle that hearing must be accompanied by doing, therefore faith must be accompanied by actions that are seen in our everyday life.
Jesus the Christ said to the people of his day – “So why do you call me Lord when you won’t obey me? Luke 6:46 NLT. So James insists that a living faith will authenticate itself in the production of living works of Christ in our daily situations.
Paul would write to the Galatians – Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:10 NIV
There is no antagonsm between faith and actions of our daily life. They are not two totally distinct concepts, but rather two inseparable elements in our salvation, which is called eternal life.
A saving faith, which is called eternal life, is a faith and a life that enjoys refreshing people. May you enjoy that kind of faith by being overwhelmed by his grace and may it give birth everyday of your life.
Philippians 2:3,4 NIV – But in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
When our lives are free to live for the glory of God, we are not only interested in people coming to life in Christ, but interested in them becoming in attitude and character like our Lord.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 shines love like we do light through a prism so that we may see its many colors. There we find that God’s love is active. It does not simply feel patient, it practices it. It does not simply feel kind, it does kind things. It does not simply recognize the truth, it rejoices in the truth.
One of Abraham Lincoln’s earliest political enemies was Edwin M. Stanton. He called Lincoln a “low cunning clown and the original gorilla.” Lincoln never responded to the slander, but when as president, he needed a secretary of war, he chose Stanton. When his friends asked why, Lincoln replied, “because he is the best man.” Years later, as the slain president’s body lay in state, Stanton looked into the coffin and sad through his tears, “There lies the greatest ruler of men the world has ever seen.”
Titus 3:4-6 NIV – But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior.
When love is expressed through our life because it is what and who we are, then we have entered into what our Lord calls – The Kingdom of God, which means we are enjoying the journey. This is a life that might not change circumstances as much as it changes us, but is it ever worth doing and becoming.
Colossians 3:15 NIV – Let the peace (love and life) of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.