The kingdom of God.....within us.

Carina Francke

In the first part of this month's devotions we will look into what God does in the life of the believer in Christ. When we become a child of God through our faith in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and we become part of God's Kingdom. Also, as joint heirs with  Christ,  all the promises in the Word are  promises to us too.

But what exactly is the Kingdom that we become part of?

Luke 17:20,21,"And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; neither shall they say, Lo here! or lo! there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you!"

We all  know that a kingdom is a place where a king rules. Thus the kingdom of God is a place where God rules - in and over the lives of His "subjects." Jesus confirms this truth when he teaches the people that the kingdom is within them. It is a kingdom invisible for the naked eye and cannot be located geographically, but it is dynamic, eternal, growing and actively involved in the lives of people who honor Jesus Christ the King and in whom the Spirit of the King lives.

A characteristic of this kingdom in the believer is the power (of the Holy Spirit) that works within him. Amongst other things this power has the ability to renew the believer and to change him to such an extent that he can reflect the holiness of the King that rules within him. Mere talk about faith matters has no value in the kingdom, no, the power thereof must be visible in one's life. "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power" (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Another characteristic of the King's rulership is that fruit should become visible. Romans 14:17 teaches, " For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

As a believer you are in a very favorable position: the rulership of God is present in your  life but you continually have to seek and strive how to realise this rulership in your life (Luke 12:31) so that in the end you will bear fruit that is fitting to the Kingdom.

Prayer: Father, thank you for your rulership as King in my life. Help me to always be aware  of this despite circumstances I might  experience. Amen.