What Is the Kingdom?Sample

The Bible teaches that when His Kingdom comes, He brings salvation, power, blessing, love, and the wonderful gifts of His Father to men. Isaiah speaks of the coming of the Kingdom of God when Christ is born (Isaiah 9:6-7). He then goes on to say that when He comes, there will be NO stopping the increase of His rule and His peace.

The Hebrew word 'peace' is the word 'shalom.' The word became one of the most important words in the Jewish world. It meant God’s complete care and blessing over His people’s lives. The Kingdom of God is the realm of shalom. Where Jesus comes and rules, He gives His care and He blesses! He cannot be any other way because He is GOOD! HE is LOVE! He is RICH! He is GENEROUS! The Kingdom of God is the doorway into life as it should be.

All of this care and blessing is described for us in promises - clearly defined things within His will for our lives. We must discover and passionately pursue God and His promises. These promises clearly describe all that He wants to be in us, do through us, and give to us, His children. This is the Kingdom life - a life lived through the power of the promises of God!

The only appropriate response to this unparalleled generosity of God is faith - a life of radical, aggressive, possessing faith. We possess His promises by faith.

Reflection Questions

• Do you sense God’s shalom in your life right now?
• If not, what do you believe is standing in the way of experiencing His complete care and blessing?
• What do you want and/or need to surrender?