“What do you think of when you hear the word ‘Kingdom’?” was a question at one of our recent family discussions. The answers were intriguing.
Castles; King and Queen; Royalty; Army; Moat; Dragons; were a few of the answers. My favorite answer: “People”. I like this answer because it gets right to the heart of everything. The Kingdom is about people. What I love even more is that the Kingdom of God is available to ALL people.
When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, Jesus presented what is now the most popular prayer every prayed. This prayer has many names:”The Lord’s prayer”, “The Disciples Prayer”, or “Our Father”. Whatever you call it, this prayer takes us right to the core of our relationship with God:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9-13)
One of the most precious things about citizenship in the Kingdom of God is having unmerited, unhindered access to the King Himself. In most monarchies, access to the King was extremely rare for the general public. But, in the Kingdom of God the King is always available.
The second line of this prayer calls for the Kingdom of God to come, and for God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
This is the cry of the heart that is “Seeking the Kingdom”.
As we seek the Kingdom of God we see:
- God’s parental nature – “Our Father”
- God’s holiness – “hallowed by Your name”.
- God’s Kingdom and will on earth – “Your Kingdom come”
- God’s Kingdom in heaven – “On earth as in heaven”
- God’s provision – “our daily bread”
- God’s forgiveness, and ours – “forgive us our debts”
- God’s leadership – “do not lead us into temptation”
- God’s deliverance – “deliver us from evil”
- God’s supreme power – “Kingdom, power and glory are Yours”
So, what is the Kingdom of God? In a word – People!
The Kingdom of God is made up of people. Without people, there is no need for a King. When I was not a believer in Christ, I thought that Christians were a bunch of people who were like robots – they all think the same, act the same, do the same things, and believe exactly the same way. Let me share a “not so secret”:
The Kingdom of God is the most multi-cultural Kingdom ever known.
The Kingdom of God is made up of people from every nation on earth. They speak every language every used. These people are not defined by a political movement, or a denomination. They exist across every economic status. The people in the Kingdom of God have committed every sin imaginable, and the King has forgiven every single person.
Let me assure you, there is no Kingdom more diverse than God’s kingdom. Their citizenship is based on one thing. The forgiving power of Jesus Christ, the King.
Ideas for reflection or discussion as you Seek the Kingdom:
- Consider: If the Kingdom of God is made up of people, how should you interact with people in your life? Have you ever ruled someone “out of the Kingdom” because of something they have done?
- Pray: Ask God to help you see everyone as a citizen, or potential citizen in God’s Kingdom. Maybe write the Lord’s prayer on your mirror (in dry erase marker), or print it up somewhere you will see it each day as a reminder.