Have you ever been confused about the Kingdom of God? As a new believer, I sure was. Whenever I experienced passages saying "the kingdom of god is like...", I would likely wonder what Jesus was talking about. I would ask, "So what is the kingdom of god in the end? Is it just like heaven? If He says to enter into it, how do I do that?" And So I dedicated time in research, spoke with individuals, as well as prayed into this topic to understand what the Kingdom of God was about. Clarity came, and that I now understand it was not as complex as I was thinking it! So if you have ever asked, "What's the Kingdom of God?" then you have arrived at the absolute right place. I desire to explain it to you, and I think it will help to use an example.
The King and His Kingdom
A lot of us don't reside in a monarchy, therefore the idea of possessing a king as well as being under his rule appears unusual to us. However we could at least imagine this as a scenario. A king exists for 2 purposes. (Preferably). Very first, to grow his particular kingdom and expand his rule into new areas, conquering other kingdoms. 2nd, to look after his topics as well as establish his kingdom within the territory when they have capacity to rule.
Clearly, a king could be a good leader or perhaps an evil ruler, providing either care for his particular subjects or exploitation. He could extend his kingdom by force or even violence, or he could view his particular expansion as assisting other subjects who currently live under tyrannical rule of a competing evil king. (Particular present day dictators spring to mind.) He'd seek to conquer these kinds of kingdoms justly, with all the purpose of preserving life to be able to offer brand new subjects a peaceful location in his very own empire. While this illustration isn't a precise illustration of the Kingdom of God, it will help paint a picture to comprehend.
The Kingdom of God: Long Live The King
The starting point in understanding the Kingdom of God is to initially understand the King. Jesus is the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. (Revelation 19:16) Exactly what does this mean? This means that he has long been provided ultimate authority and power. While authority is the right to such rule, power is the capability to carry on with it. If we imagine Him being a King, who He truly is, we can see that his objective is to bring as numerous individuals into their territory or even Kingdom as possible. Is this particular a real, physical kingdom? He will one day possess a physical kingdom, but for now, it is a spiritual kingdom dominated by principles.
How Do People Go Into The Kingdom of God?
Does he force people to enter his particular kingdom simply by violence or even force? Absolutely no. We enter His the Kingdom of God by invitation, that shows that he's a Shepherd at heart. As we examine, " I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my own voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16)
How does he want individuals under his particular rule?
He is a better leader, and the alternatives for individuals are not good. The alternative kingdom for people to be a member of is the kingdom of this world, meaning, being under Satan's rule. (Matthew 4:8-11) Jesus sees that Satan oppresses his subjects with the aim of harming them, as He described in Scripture. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)
Therefore King Jesus wants to bring people under his leadership in order to guide them right into a fortunate life, whereas Satan wants individuals under his particular control in order to eventually destroy them. There's a huge distinction in motivation.
How does Jesus rule?
To be in Jesus' kingdom, you need to initially accept invitation to be part of it. This means leaving your independence of personal decision making and understanding what He wishes to your life. To become useful, it means learning His rules about how to live life as based in the Bible. Furthermore, whenever an individual incorporates His principles into their life they start to realize the results and benefits. These people start to discover his protection over their particular lives, in the end, He is their own new King. Additionally, they start to enjoy his provision and also welfare in their lives to the degree that they include his principles. As they look for His authority in their circumstances, He begins to supply answers they or else were unable to accomplish. Therefore then, Jesus' unseen kingdom becomes visible when individuals start to live based on his principles. The visible aspect is discovering the benefits in a person's life.
How is Jesus' Kingdom Extended? As we've discussed, Jesus does not make use of force or coercion to gather followers but seeks to disperse His Kingdom through invitation. How will other people know about His Kingdom? For generality, He will knock on the door within their lives individually, but will likewise use His people to demonstrate His particular Kingdom. Exactly how? Simply by displaying their own results to others around them. Here's an example. Whenever an individual understands that Jesus promises His peace to His subjects, they choose to look for peace within Him. They do this by taking their cares, concerns, and questions to Him frequently. This is how results are demonstrated. At work, their co-worker who is going through a comparable lay-off can't understand how this individual has peace once they themselves have none. The advantages of the Kingdom of God are shown by living based on different rules. This produces an influence leads that other person to question how this can be done. The individual currently in Jesus' Kingdom explains they discovered peace by accepting His Sovereign Lordship in their lives, and that no matter what happens they are fully aware He will provide for them, guide these people, and take care of their needs. This influence or message spreads the invitational offer for new people to fit in the rule of the kingdom of God, whenever they choose to.
It's by means of situations such as this that the Kingdom of God is actually disperse every single day, and how brand new territory (people's lives) are usually overcome by King Jesus. Again, it has absolutely nothing to do with a crusader type attitude that once forced conversions on others. It has everything to do with demonstrating God's rules in your own life, and stretching invitations to other people as God guides. The Kingdom of God is a religious kingdom, and one given simply by love...not fear or even force.
So What is Your Spot within the Kingdom of God?
Those outside of the Kingdom of God
Are you currently outside of the Kingdom of God, but wish to be a part of it? The invitation is apparent. Leave your own personal way of living, as well as take Jesus' rule over your life. Accept Him as King, that is, the caring shepherd responsible for your daily life affairs, and choose to praise Him. In addition, start to learn what He has for you personally simply by comprehending the Bible and seeking His guidance by means of prayer. You will begin to see His awesome rule demonstrated in your own life, and also the benefits will begin to appear.
Existing members of the Kingdom of God Are you part of the Kingdom of God but searching for your spot? If so, be confident that God has a specific place for you! Occasionally we mistake this place of service with a position in a church. Does God ask everybody who wishes to serve him to seek a position at church or in full-time ministry? No. Actually, the need for full-time ministers have already been approximated as only about 2% of believers. If you are a part of the other 98% who actually aren't full-time ministers, don't be concerned. Indeed, God does have a place for you as well!
What's my place in the Kingdom of God?
Keep in mind how I said that learning about the Kingdom of God wasn't as strange as I initially thought? Neither is discovering your place. Therefore what should you do in order to find your place? Here are 4 Steps:
1.Acknowledge King Jesus as Lord of your life
2. Ask Him to reveal your special place in His Kingdom
3.Uncover your specific gifts, talents, desires, and interests
4. Look for opportunities and/or needs to serve other people
We've by now covered numbers One and 2, and so what you can do next is understand numbers 3 and Four.
Maybe the most thrilling things you can do is always to start to understand how God has gifted you and also created a unique place for you to definitely make a difference. Many Christians are finding that God has placed special gifts, skills, abilities, and passions within their own life for a reason. Could serving God and also making an eternal impact really be so pleasant? The response is yes! This posting has already gotten long in length, so we've made additional resources accessible so you can bring your search even more. Click the following link to understand how you can find your place within the Kingdom of God.
About the Author:
Kingdom Messenger - see this video clip at this time if you wish to know more. You can also stop by this website: http://www.thekingdommessenger.com.
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