Day 13: Kingdom
"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves." Colossians 1:13
One of the many blessings that comes to those who live the resurrection life is that we are now a part of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is the reign He brings about on earth through Jesus Christ. When Jesus began his earthly ministry, he proclaimed, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near". Jesus Christ came to earth to fulfill the prophecy of the Old Testament. Through Him God's presence is in and with His people. In His person and ministry the kingdom has become a present reality.
Because God has brought us into the kingdom through His Son, we are now kingdom people.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." 1 Peter 2:9-10
"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14
As kingdom people, we are, therefore, called to a particular way of life. We see this in the passage above from the book of Titus, where we are called to live "upright and godly lives". When? In this present age. For the kingdom of God, while it is present in and among us through Christ, it will not reach its fullness until Jesus returns. As Paul says in the passage above: we are called to live godly lives now while we wait "for the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I am fascinated with the already/not yet nature of the kingdom of God. It is already present, but not yet fully arrived. We, who are in Christ, are already holy, yet we will spend out life becoming holy.
"For now, Christians live in a great theological tension: we already possess every spiritual blessing in Christ, but we do not experience the fullness of these blessings yet. In one sense, we are already adopted, redeemed, sanctified, and saved; in another, these experiences are not yet fully ours. Underneath this theological and practical tension are the two comings of Christ. In his first coming, he inaugurated the last days; in his second coming, he will complete them. In the meantime, we live for now in “the overlap of the ages." David Briones, NT Professor, Westminster Theological Seminary
Professor Briones continues, "If we are to live biblically in between the times, we must trust the indicatives and obey the imperatives. Biblical indicatives are another way of expressing the already: 'You are holy!'. Imperatives express the not yet: 'Be holy!'."
"...What kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him." 2 Peter 3:11-14
Paul reminds us "to live lives worthy of God who calls you into his kingdom and glory". 1 Thessalonians 2:12
We are to live as kingdom people, with the Spirit of God in us, in anticipation of His Second Coming when we will experience His kingdom in all its fullness and glory.
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