NEWS The Essence of the Kingdom
I've noticed over the years that there is a great deal of confusion about the nature of the Kingdom of God. It is unfortunate that there is so much confusion, since the Kingdom is central to everything in the universe.
Today, I came across a little essay by T. Austin-Sparks that captures the essence of the Kingdom. Here's what TAS said:
"The Kingdom is not, in the first place, what is so commonly implied when people speak of 'extending the Kingdom,' meaning thereby the realm in which Christianity is propagated and converts are secured. The Kingdom in its inception at all times is the Lord Jesus present in power. "Ye shall be my witnesses" - that is the simple issue of the Kingdom. It is not a movement, it is not a teaching and it is not an institution. It is firstly Christ; then it is 'ye'. It is Christ present by the Holy Spirit in people - and manifestly present."
The Kingdom is Christ! How simple, eh? The simplicity of Christ once again! Religious hearts can't see the Kingdom, don't know what it is, and can't explain it because Christ is not inside. He does not reside in their hearts. He is exogenous, not endogenous.
When you see Christ through revelation and receive the Holy Spirit, you enter the Kingdom. Until this happens, the Kingdom is something outside. It exists in a spiritual realm that you cannot know or comprehend.
I hear pastors and other Christians say they are doing things for the Kingdom. I cringe every time I hear people say stuff like this. You can't do something for the Kingdom. It's not about doing things for Christ. It's about having the Lord do things through you for the purpose of His Kingdom. As Paul told the Galatians:
"For in Christ Jesus... the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6)
When we try to do something for the Kingdom, it is a dead work. It's a dead thing that has no impact on the Kingdom. Sadly, there are lots of dead works occurring daily in Christianity today.
May you see Christ, receive the Kingdom, believe, and shine.
Agape,
Steve
Today, I came across a little essay by T. Austin-Sparks that captures the essence of the Kingdom. Here's what TAS said:
"The Kingdom is not, in the first place, what is so commonly implied when people speak of 'extending the Kingdom,' meaning thereby the realm in which Christianity is propagated and converts are secured. The Kingdom in its inception at all times is the Lord Jesus present in power. "Ye shall be my witnesses" - that is the simple issue of the Kingdom. It is not a movement, it is not a teaching and it is not an institution. It is firstly Christ; then it is 'ye'. It is Christ present by the Holy Spirit in people - and manifestly present."
The Kingdom is Christ! How simple, eh? The simplicity of Christ once again! Religious hearts can't see the Kingdom, don't know what it is, and can't explain it because Christ is not inside. He does not reside in their hearts. He is exogenous, not endogenous.
When you see Christ through revelation and receive the Holy Spirit, you enter the Kingdom. Until this happens, the Kingdom is something outside. It exists in a spiritual realm that you cannot know or comprehend.
I hear pastors and other Christians say they are doing things for the Kingdom. I cringe every time I hear people say stuff like this. You can't do something for the Kingdom. It's not about doing things for Christ. It's about having the Lord do things through you for the purpose of His Kingdom. As Paul told the Galatians:
"For in Christ Jesus... the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6)
When we try to do something for the Kingdom, it is a dead work. It's a dead thing that has no impact on the Kingdom. Sadly, there are lots of dead works occurring daily in Christianity today.
May you see Christ, receive the Kingdom, believe, and shine.
Agape,
Steve
posted by Steve at
1:58 PM
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