Читать книгу Along Bible Paths: - Henry E. Neufeld - Страница 20

July 16

Where is The Kingdom?

Being asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he [Jesus] answered them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with observation; neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, the Kingdom of God is within you.”

Luke 17:20-21 (WEB, my emphasis)

Yesterday Jesus was speaking about how much He loved me – even when I didn’t ask and couldn’t earn His love. Today, Jesus took His love a step further and says He has picked me (and you) to be His Kingdom.

Jesus says the Kingdom, in its glory and as He promised, will not come with my keen religious knowledge and/or prophecy of what is to come or should happen. In fact, Jesus says that no one will be able to say “Here it is!” or “There it is!” because –

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, [not giving us what we deserved!] and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him [Jesus] who knew no sin he [the Father] made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God [in right relationship with God].

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (WEB, my emphasis and paraphrase)

Paul said, it well. God had no Plan B. It was God’s plan all along to come in the flesh – as man – and be the only sacrifice that could cover my sins so that I could be Jesus’ ambassador; His representative 2000 years later to others. I am the representative of God’s Kingdom! ME! Less than perfect – still in need of forgiveness when – after choosing to follow Jesus in 1995 (and I haven’t changed my mind!) – I still need Jesus to bring me back to His chosen path for me when I wander off. How far have I wandered since 1995? (If you could see me right now you would see me blush, roll my eyes, and drop my head in shame.)

If I reference the Bible, the writers, taking down God’s words for me, do not list sins as “little” or “big”, do they?

Jesus said, He did not get rid of the Law but He tried to get me to understand that sin is not just my actions but more about my heart. (Matthew 5) Paul comes along in Galations 5 and while he gives a list of what is my sinful nature and how that reflects my life, Paul is trying to say what Jesus said, “Jody, it’s about what is in your heart that builds my Kingdom. If your heart is sold out to me first, your life on earth despite all its imperfections will build My Kingdom.”

How the Kingdom grows in me is for tomorrow.