Paul wrote that the Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. That sounds challenging, no? Today’s excerpt from The Kingdom Turn is found on pages 118 and 119:
“Looking at the overall state of affairs in the world and the Church, one might get the idea that the Kingdom of God, to whatever extent it is to be acknowledged, is primarily an intellectual construct or a promise for future fulfillment – a matter of conversation and speculation, and not much else. The subject comes up in church from time to time, and we see it mentioned in our Bibles.
“But is the ‘Kingdom of God’ anything more than an idea? A theme to talk about and with which to comfort ourselves and give us hope for the future? For if such a reality as the prophets envisioned and Jesus foretold in His many parables and teachings, if such a reality were actually in operation among us, would we not expect to see more evidence of its presence and power?
“I think that’s a fair conclusion. After all, the Apostle Paul insisted that the Kingdom of God must not be thought of merely as a matter of theological or philosophical conversation and debate. The rule of King Jesus, on earth as it is in heaven, does not consist in talk, but in power.
“There is power in the rule of King Jesus, power to transform lives, reform morals, redirect the ways of culture and society, innovate wonders of science and learning, constrain the intentions of wicked men, beautify and enrich the created order, and achieve a human environment of mercy, justice, and love among the peoples of the world. The power of the Kingdom is spiritual power, to be sure, but this does not make it unreal or merely an article of faith. The spiritual power of the Kingdom of God is real power, transforming power, and it is available to everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord Jesus.”
For reflection or discussion
1. In what ways, or what aspects of your life, do you experience the power of God’s Kingdom?
2. What do you think must be involved in knowing more of the power of the Kingdom?
Spiritual power is given to us so that we run as spiritual beings according to a spiritual agenda and for truly spiritual ends. The only spiritual power that this world will ever know is that which flows from within the Kingdom of God, that is, from within you and me. Share today’s podcast with a friend, then get together to discuss and pray about what you’re learning. Your copy of The Kingdom Turn is waiting for you in The Ailbe Bookstore.
T. M. Moore
