This week I want to look at what the Kingdom is not. Most of the time we are known for what we stand against, not what we stand for. Most preaching growing up was preaching against sin, not disciplining me into the Kingdom. When we talk about the Kingdom, one way to understand it is to see what it is not.
Almost all the times Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God, He said: The Kingdom is like or likened unto. He uses examples of seed, a pearl of great price, a treasure in the field, talents given to men, and even ten virgins. To clarify some of our misconceptions about the Kingdom we need to look at it from a different perspective and still keep it true to scripture.
Rom 14:17 For the Kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom is not the natural satisfaction that our bodies crave for. Eating and drinking do not represent the Kingdom. Jesus said that we must eat from him and that we live from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. In the past, most of the preaching about the Kingdom was centered around meeting people’s natural needs. He knows what you need before you ask but he wants you to trust him with the things the natural world cannot give you, the eternal things – Matt 6:32.
The Kingdom is not defined in scripture but explained. The moment you define something you box it in. It is impossible to define the Kingdom because we do not understand the fullness of what God has given us through the Kingdom. Jesus never defined the Kingdom, He explained it. “The Kingdom is like.” To place a natural definition on something spiritual is to miss the purpose of the very thing you are trying to understand.
The Kingdom is not just in us but also amongst us. The Kingdom does not enter us first, we enter into the Kingdom first – John 3:3-6. Jesus said that unless we are born again we cannot enter the Kingdom. As new creations, we are birthed into the Kingdom and then the reality of that new Kingdom affects the way we live on earth. When the Kingdom is lived in the flesh it becomes real.
Luke 17:20-21 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the Kingdom of God is within (among) you.
In the context of this scripture, the Pharisees asked Jesus a question. His answered while he was standing amongst them. “The Kingdom is amongst you.” He brought the Kingdom to them.
The Kingdom is not principles to live by. The Kingdom functions from a relationship that establishes the principles. The Kingdom is something that changes you from the inside out, not from the outside in. Principles can change, the Kingdom never does. Principles can benefit you but it can also remove and restricts God’s agenda for you. Principles can help but we must stay flexible to the move of the Holy Spirit.
The Kingdom cannot be real by just believing it. It must be experienced. Without experience, it remains a theory. In theory only, it will and can only lead to knowing about God but never knowing God. Experiencing the Kingdom establishes the reality of the Kingdom and grounds you in a faith that cannot be shaken. It is foolish to think that Saints from the past stood in the face of death, through fire, being fed to lions, burned at the stake, chopped in pieces, beheaded and tortured for their faith only because they believed in something. They all had an encounter that was more real than the thing that took their life. You only grasp the Kingdom when you experience it!
The Kingdom is not individualistic. The Kingdom is made up of the community of believers. We are a body, fitly joined together and everyone brings his part – 1 Cor 12:12-27.
The Kingdom is not futuristic. Jesus always referred to the Kingdom as a present reality. He said that it is the Father’s good pleasure to give us the Kingdom, not hold out on it until we get to heaven someday – Luke 12:32.
The Kingdom is not of or from this world. neither are we. Our citizenship is in heaven – Phill 3:20. We are a new creation – 2 Cor 5:17. We are living differently than the world.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My Kingdom is not of this world: if my Kingdom were of this world, then would my servant’s fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my Kingdom not from hence.
Lastly, the Kingdom is not and has no loyalty to anything that is man-made like religion or politics. The Kingdom is a Theocracy, there is no vote to get God elected into office and no vote can get him out of office. He is not abdicating and does not need our support or input on how to run the Kingdom. He is Sovereign, All-Wise, and capable of doing it and sustaining everything about His Kingdom. He is God and it is His Kingdom.
