On a couple of occasions, Jesus mentioned the possibility of “seeing” the Kingdom of God. We should expect, therefore, that righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit should be on display. Somewhere. Today’s excerpt from The Kingdom Turn is found on pages 70 and 71:
“We’re considering the prospect of the Kingdom of God, the ways people might expect to ‘see’ the Kingdom in and through the lives of those who have entered into it. Jesus promised that those who believed in Him would see the Kingdom, and there is plenty of evidence in the New Testament to indicate that other people were able to observe its coming as well. In a very real sense, the Christian’s primary calling in life may be understood as making the invisible Kingdom visible. The rule of Christ, which is advancing in our souls, becomes visible through our words and deeds, so that the people around us, as they see us living out the hope of glory, become piqued with curiosity and seek an explanation for what they see.
“One of the most dramatic ways that the Kingdom of God comes to light in a community is through the love that Christians express for one another. Most people know a little about love. Certainly they have people in their lives they would say they love, and they love themselves well enough. But the kind of love that God can bring to light through a community of believers is unlike anything people typically encounter. And those manifestations of love between believers can be so powerful and so compelling, that they will lead unbelievers to seek the shelter of such a community and to know the reality of that Kingdom for themselves.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How does the Kingdom become visible in your community through your church?
2. If churches worked together, would that make the Kingdom more visible? In what ways?
We should be challenged by the charge to make the invisible Kingdom of God visible to our world. We have something to show the world, and we should be busy about the business of showing it. But we will only do so if this is part of our vision as a congregation, and if we devote ourselves to those works of love which make the invisible Kingdom visible. Share today’s podcast with a friend, or with several friends. Encourage them to subscribe and listen in daily. Get together when you can to discuss what you’re learning. Your copy of The Kingdom Turn awaits you in The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
