Most people are journeying toward a rather poorly-defined hope. They want to retire comfortably. Or have the financial freedom to travel, or move closer to their kids. It’s OK to hope such things. But if there is a greater hope within reach, we should go for it. Our readings are from the book, The Gospel of the Kingdom. Here is a brief excerpt from page 35:
“[T]he coming of the Kingdom ushers in an era of new hope. Paul says that, being justified by faith we have entered into a new place, where we stand in hope of the glory of God. The glory of God is the presence of God, experienced as a ‘weighty’ and overwhelming engagement with inexpressible joy and true spiritual pleasure. It is this presence of God, promised by our Lord and King, that Kingdom-dwellers earnestly seek; and, while they enter that presence with fear, they experience it as joyous transforming power and glory.
“Thus the hope Christians seek becomes the hope they experience and express to the watching world, shown in every area of their lives, no matter how trivial or mundane. The Kingdom-dwelling Christian thus will make every effort to make his calling and election sure, so that he may know the hope of his calling and may show that hope to the world, bringing the knowledge of the glory of God to light in everyday ways and words.
“The Gospel of the Kingdom is not, in the first instance, about you and me going to heaven when we die. It is about the Kingdom of God, first and foremost – about a new reality that has broken into human experience with irresistible, transforming power, making all things new and bringing the knowledge of the glory of God to light in the sight of all men and nations.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How do you experience the glory of the Lord? When, or, under what circumstances?
2. How should we as Christians make know the glory of God to others?
What we hope for we will strive to realize. In the Kingdom of God, we hope for His glory—to know it day by day and to show it every way we can. This is where true joy and purpose are found. Send today’s podcast to friend and get together to discuss your role in glorifying God. And order a copy of The Gospel of the Kingdom from The Ailbe Bookstore.
