Wednesday, September 17, 2008

What is the kingdom?

Another word that I hear thrown around a lot is "kingdom". Kingdom values. Kingdom living. Establishing His kingdom. This word is used by Christians to promote a lot of different political views, social responses, and even theological positions. Often opposing views are formed using this same word is the evidence that their view is correct.

My friend Aaron asks some questions about this.

I think that our understanding of the kingdom will have a great deal of affect on how we live and what we believe.

So what is Jesus talking about when he refers to the kingdom?

What does our understanding of the kingdom tell us about how we should live?

4 comments:

Aaron said...

Looks like folks aren't sure what the Kingdom do to both of our post lack of response.

I really (like you) feel this is so important to our whole life. If we can't get anyone to discuss it, then you and I could surely have a wonderful discussion about it!

Let's do just that... where do we begin homie!

thowald said...

This is just a conversation starter but when i think of the Kingdom I begin with Jesus' model prayer He gave to His disciples in Matt. 6. As I read this passage it says "Your kingdom come your will be done" ... I think one of the first things that we should note (if not the first thing) about the Kingdom is that it is a body that is in submission to the King. Your kingdom come and your will be done are not two separate requests but one in the same.
So with that said how do we submit to the King? His true subjects will obey his laws. 1 John 1:5 says "But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him."
So what are God's commands? According to Jesus in Luke 10 it is to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind and your neighbor as yourself."

So to put this whole statement more succinctly, the kingdom is a body who submit to the will of God by loving Him completely and loving others as they love themselves. I believe it is more than that and hope to comment further but that is a start.

KG said...

Sorry that I have been silent. Had a lot going the last few days.

Aaron,
Yes, I do think this is important, but still working out what I think about it. I have some opinions, but not sure if they are right.

KG said...

Tim,
I like your thoughts. I think that they reflect what we should be pursuing with our lives.

But I have some questions that I wonder as I think about your thoughts in relation to the kingdom.

How do we know that it is a body? You state that as your first point.

How do we know that it is something that can be experienced in the present? Could it possibly be a prayer for the coming of Jesus to set up his kingdom? A prayer of hope looking for that day. Not sure, I am just asking.

My questions show that I am wrestling with what the kingdom is talking about and when it is talking about. Any feedback?