Let God Be True (6)

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4.17

Here’s an idea
“What’s happenin’?” “What’s goin’ on?” “‘T’sup?”

Have you heard any of those expressions yet this week? How did you respond? “Not much”? “Same old same old”?
Language has become so trite and trivial these days, that it can be easy for us to miss an opportunity to insert a word of truth into the fabric of lies that pervades our society (cf. Ps. 12). If you want to live under the Scriptures, I have a better suggestion. The next time someone greets you with one of those phrases, respond by saying, “The Kingdom of God is at hand!”

At the very least, that will give an entirely truthful summation of precisely “what’s up” in the world.

Because the Kingdom of God is definitely what’s happenin’ now, and the fact that it is, is very Good News.

The Good News of the Kingdom
The Bible teaches that Jesus came to earth to bring, not just salvation for men’s souls, but a whole new era and quality of existence, a new age and reality, down from the lofty heights of heaven, where it had been held in reserve, into the everyday experience of human lives everywhere.

Jesus came to earth to embody, proclaim, bring near, and establish the Kingdom of God on earth, as it is in heaven. The Kingdom of God is the reign of Jesus Christ over all men and things. It is a new economy of righteousness, peace, and joy which is unfolding and advancing throughout the world. It brings real and transforming spiritual power, in the Person of the Holy Spirit of God, making all things new and bright and filled with the glory of the unseen eternal God.

The Kingdom of God is the truth of God and Jesus Christ, ruling over and subduing all things, making all things new, bringing life and immortality to light through the Good News of Jesus.

The Kingdom of God brings freedom from bondage to sin, the fear of death, and the frail and foolish limits of human good intentions. The Kingdom of God brings life to dead sinners, hope to desperate people at every stage and level of life, and love like that of Jesus Christ which gives and edifies and comforts, without the slightest hint of self-interest.

Jesus Christ holds the keys to the Kingdom of God, and He offers them freely to all who believe in Him and are born again by the grace of God. From that moment, everything begins to change. Escaping the lies of this age, we step into the light of truth, and start to see the world differently. We learn to love the things God loves and to value what He holds dear. We grow in new ways, and we find ourselves overcome with peace and joy in even the most difficult or adverse situations. We become part of a new community of people who are working to help the world overcome the problems of sin and to know more of the light and truth of the Word and Kingdom of God.

So why not say so!
The Kingdom of God is growing on the earth like a wondrous, brilliant jewel, overcoming all other worldviews and realms and shining the light of truth and life into the ever-receding darkness of unbelief and death (Dan. 2.44, 45; 1 Jn. 2.8). The Scriptures teach that all who believe in Jesus Christ are citizens in and ambassadors of His Kingdom, sent to the world to bear witness to His reign (2 Cor. 5.17-21; Jn. 20.21; Acts 1.8). We are called to represent this new reality, by our words and deeds, so that others can enter with us into this incredible Good News and the salvation that comes with it.

“Let the redeemed of the LORDsay so!” the psalmist declared (Ps. 107.2), and this certainly falls within our job description as ambassadors and witnesses.

Do we believe the Scriptures? Are we submitted to the Word of God as the truth about what’s up and everything else as well? Then let the world oppose or oppress us, let our believing friends caution or avoid us, but let us make known the Good News of the Kingdom of God by every means, in every season, so that some, at least, of the people to whom God has sent us might be saved.

For reflection
1.  What is your strategy for being a witness to the lost people around you?

2.  What should local churches do to equip and encourage their people to fulfill their calling as Kingdom citizens and ambassadors?

3.  Besides the Gospel, what other hope do people have of escaping the darkness of sin and unbelief and entering into light and life? What are the implications of this for all who would follow Jesus?

Next steps – Preparation: Suppose someone were to ask you to explain the Gospel. What would you say? Make a brief outline of the Good News of the Kingdom, and how we may come to know it. Then start sharing this with all your friends – saved and unsaved alike!

T. M. Moore

This week’s study, Let God Be True, is available as a free PDF download, suitable for individual or group use (click here).

Help us discover the state of people’s understanding of God’s truth. Watch the brief video explaining our Understanding the Bible Questionnaire (click here). Then download the Questionnaire and begin using it with the people in your Personal Mission Field. Be sure to come back to the website and record the answers you receive. We’ll update you from time to time on what we’re learning. Get an overview of the truth of the Christian worldview by registering for our free, online course One in Twelve: An Introduction to Christian Worldview (click here).

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.