Luke 17:20 -21, “When he (Jesus) was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Jesus also said in the Lord’s Prayer, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
The Hebrew nation was waiting for the establishment of a political kingdom with the overthrow of the Romans. For them God’s Kingdom was not yet. For many Christians today there is the expectation of a physical kingdom established in the future. For them God’s Kingdom is not yet. Two thousand years ago John the Baptist preached that the Kingdom of God was at hand. Was he, the one Jesus declared to be the greatest of all the prophets, wrong? It seems not. God’s Kingdom is not only something in a future time and place, it is also a present experience. With the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we share with God the glories of His presence. There is security, hope becomes a present reality, guilt is taken away, eternal life begins, spiritual understanding grows, compassion for others takes root and flourishes, self is nourished as it recognizes its value by looking at the cross, creativity blooms, intellect expands, patience becomes a mainstay, and our love encompasses those who do not love us.
Contrary to what many television evangelists teach this does not necessarily include bigger bank accounts. The real Gospel of Prosperity is the prosperity of the soul. Are we looking for the Kingdom of God? With a heart open to God let us look in the mirror.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 7, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Bo 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org