Despite Jesus telling His disciples that the kingdom of God was within them (Luke 17:21) the last thing that the disciples asked Jesus before He returned to Heaven was, “Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1:6). Although the disciples had spent over 3 years with Jesus being taught by Him they were still not controlled by spiritual desire but by fulfilment of the flesh. This truth highlights a major on-going challenge that we face – do I want to live a spiritual life or do I want my flesh to be satisfied. This is why Proverbs 3:5 is so important to live by: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart (a spiritual experience), and lean not on your own understanding”. Paul describes it this way in Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not food or drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit”. This verse reinforces a fundamental principle that spiritual behaviour is not explained by natural things but by being spiritual. However, being spiritual is not some odd or excessive behaviour but behaviour that demonstrates the nature of God. Paul teaches that the kingdom of God is not about satisfying our natural desires and this is something that we need to be aware of and never forget because this an area of our living that keeps demanding to be satisfied. Paul clearly states that kingdom living is seen by our actions when the Holy Spirit is within us. Then a behaviour that people notice is seen when we become Holy Spirit people – Righteousness, Peace, and Joy because this behaviour is so different from natural living. 1 Corinthians 4:20 says: “For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power”, just because we can talk about spiritual things does not mean this is how we are living. This is something that I have learned over the years – it is important that I live God’s truth – not just talk about it. This verse says that the kingdom of God is demonstrated by His power in our lives. Remember the word ‘Power’ is better-translated strength and ability which we receive through being filled with the Holy Spirit. Another important truth is that needs to be said is that the kingdom of God must be experienced in us before other people can be impacted by it. This truth is shown in 1Samuel 16:7 which says: “For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart”. The world is crying out for the kingdom of God to be seen but this is not happening because we are so dominated by what we see. Remember that Jesus said that when miracles were being experienced that the kingdom of God was among them. Kingdom living presents a challenge to us to change on the inside to live God’s way so that His miracle-working power can be seen everywhere we go.
I agree that one the hardest things to do is to “die daily” to the natural desires and the way we seek our own way. I can only hope that what the world “sees” are Christians, living Christ like. This is the way we show that we are changed and that the kingdom of God is within us not by sprouting the latest trend in “Gospel Spreading”
there seems to be daily pressure to conform to this world, I endeavour to acknowledge the Lord more in my daily life