Have you
ever wondered what the kingdom of God is like?
Considering
heaven as an eternal destination makes it a worthy consideration. It is
fascinating how much emphasis is placed on this
life – which will end shortly – and how little emphasis is placed on the next life – which will never end.
So what do
you think the kingdom of God is like?
How
interesting Jesus tells us the kingdom of God begins in the here and now – and then
spans on into eternity. We have a taste of heaven, and the rule of God in this life, and it is important we
understand this because the kingdom of God comes to all those who desire it.
Doubly
fascinating is how the kingdom of God may be corrupted in this life.
Jesus
teaches the kingdom of God is in the heart of man, (the place God rules in
those who allow it.) The extent of His rule in the heart of man determines how
pure His kingdom is on earth.
Can we limit
the rule of God in our hearts? Jesus indicates this is not only so – but prevalent.
Jesus indicates the kingdom of God in this life is corrupted by the evil
practice and influence of man upon it.
That Jesus
teaches the kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, planted in a garden, which
grew and became a large tree may sound exciting, but in reality Jesus speaks of
that which has grown grotesque through the influence of carnality upon that
which is intended to be purely spiritual. The mustard seed - which normally
grows into the form of an herb as a bush or small tree with wispy branches –
has in this example grown into a large tree capable of supporting the existence
of evil in its branches.
The kingdom
of God is like leaven, which has corrupted the entire lump. (Leaven in God’s
Word is always a ‘type’ of sin.)
It is
important for us to live self-examined lives, in self-examined churches,
determined to keep out the influences of entertainment and the world and the
flesh.
-Pastor Bill
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