Making All Things New

What difference does it make whether we see ourselves as citizens of the Kingdom of God? Well, not much today, as seems evident. But that has not always been the case. Today’s excerpt from The Kingdom Turn is found on pages 75 and 76:

“Many of the benefits we take for granted today first appeared in history through the work of Kingdom citizens doing Kingdom work within their own peculiar spheres of influence. Christians created the first hospitals and gave impetus to advances in health care. They dignified work for all vocations, making of even the humblest endeavor an arena of service to God. Citizens of the Kingdom of God created universities, pioneered advances in the arts and literature, codified civil law, improved the use of machinery for productivity, advanced the cause of universal education, developed the principles of democratic society, and laid the groundwork for the scientific revolution. Christians have led the way in all manner of charitable societies, and, still today, are the most generous population in giving to meet the needs and relieve the suffering of people all over the world.

“Every Christian brings the Kingdom of God into every one of his or her daily endeavors. Whether it is in our homes, our neighborhoods, at work, in our communities, among our friends, or participating in cultural or political life, Christians bring a perspective and a power to these arenas which, when properly engaged, exert transforming effects. Admittedly, in our day, there is not much evidence of the progress of the Kingdom through the social and cultural endeavors of everyday believers. Christians today are cowed by the culture into accepting a form of Christianity that leaves well enough alone out in the world while it is content to seek expression within the safe confines of church and Christian friends. The churches don’t offer much help in overcoming this, for church leaders seem to understand but poorly the expansive reach and power of the Kingdom of God, and few of them train their members to live in a way that makes the invisible Kingdom visible.

“We should pray and work and encourage one another to seek the Kingdom of God truly, daily, and with a view to showing others the reality we have come to know. The teaching of Scripture, the course of history, and the power of the indwelling Spirit are on our side. All we have to do is begin living by faith, from glory to glory, so that others may see the reality of the Kingdom in our lives.”

For reflection or discussion
1. What changes have you experienced that witness to your citizenship in the Kingdom of God?

2. Where does the power come from for Kingdom people to work at making all things new?

Jesus used images, metaphors, to help us understand the Kingdom—salt, light, and leaven, especially. These metaphors are penetrating, pervading, and transforming. Which is what God intends for His Kingdom. Share today’s podcast with some friends. Urge them to join you in subscribing to Read Moore. Then, get together when you can to discuss what you’re learning about making the Kingdom turn. The book by that title is available in The Ailbe Bookstore.

T. M. Moore