A TRENDY ADJECTIVE THAT INDICATES SOMETHING GOOD IN EVERYTHING WE DO…
In recent years, Christians have become increasingly familiar with the phrase “Kingdom of God.” But, because its definition is rarely articulated, we do not always know what it means.
Many of us place the word together, believing that the Kingdom of God is just another reference for Heaven. Many equate the “Kingdom of God” with an eternal heaven for disembodied souls in the afterlife, but is this really what it means?
Recently, I discovered that the word “kingdom” has become a trendy adjective that indicates just about anything “truly,” meaning something good: Kingdom community, kingdom persons, kingdom culture, etc.
But, when a word is used without a clear and common consent of terminology, it loses its semantic value and leads to confusion. So today, I thought I’d spend some time searching for a clearer definition of the phrase “Kingdom of God” to see if I could better understand what the Book of Life is trying to tell us.
In the book of Romans, chapter 14 it is written: ‘For the kingdom of God is not meat or drink; it is Righteousness … Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.’ Don’t we often close a prayer with these words indicating, make me a better person, allow me to be a living example of what best represents love, and may my behavior in this world be the same as it would in the next.
Throughout scripture, you clearly see in the books, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John how they articulate the meaning of the words “Kingdom of God.” Matthew is the first to talk about the parable: Jesus spoke saying, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.’
In Mark 4:26, he said, ’The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground.’
Clearly, the teaching is on the kingdom of God represents a seed and teaches us that through our “WORKS” we have the power to cleanse the world. Even though this world is broken, impoverished, and in despair, I believe the Book of Life is telling the Righteous to go forward and plant seeds of hope and allow compassion to fall on the ground, where slowly and secretly it forces its way deep through the soil and grows up into the greatest of strengths in which all will find life.
In John’s gospel, the Kingdom of God is synonymous with life. Jesus says, ‘But a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ (Jn. 3:3). The Kingdom of God is a totally new reality represented as new life and as the true way of being human. So, is it not our body or style of life that makes our personality warm and gentle? Is it not the way we treat others and speak of them that best reflects our thoughts and exemplify who we are?
Good works, as defined by the Book of Life, should be present in the life of whoever claims to be a spiritually-reborn life. If they're not open about the truth of their past and to show the differences in who they were, all they survived, and who they have chosen to be, then how can we recognize or acknowledge any work that has been put forth into their life.
How can you overcome a past of failures unless you glorify all you have learned to overcome during those times? Good works are a necessary symptom of someone who has truly been RENEWED and filled with something greater than those called the- Holy Spirit!
I believe, according to God's standards, it isn't possible to be holy, righteous, discerning, and wise, and to perform what He considers to be good works until you first choose to admit to living in fear, letting go of the past, in which you once lived, and choose to LIVE by FAITH!
I believe we live in a marvelous age, indeed, and in a day like this, it is wonderful that we are asking questions and looking for the meaning of words such as, The Kingdom of God.
We are concerned today, not only about the individual and the destiny of our soul, but also about the meaning of our life itself.
That’s it: Life itself is “THE KINGDOM OF GOD” on Earth as it is in Heaven!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Also known as “celebrity hairstylist StacyK,” the 26-year veteran in the beauty business has authored two books: “Be Beautiful Being You”and “The Ten Character Commitments.” She is a part of the Women’s Leadership Movement, Toyota's “Women That Soar” Community Outreach recipient, and one of the 100 World Changers recently selected for her intent on moving the world forward with her new branding concept created for sexual abuse survivors. Stacy is the founder of The Justus Love Corporation. It is an American multimedia company helping those on a mission to stop sexual abuse by sharing their story, and exposing sexual abuse suppression. The corporation unites “informative, inspirational individuals” with lifestyle and leadership goals. Its philosophy remains: “Our Words Give Life!”