“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15, ESV)
Jesus says, “Seek first the kingdom” (Matthew 6:33). He tells us to pray, “your kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10). The first thing Jesus says in the Gospel of Mark is: “the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mark 1:15). So many of the parables are about the kingdom. I could go on.
As the people of God, we are called to be a kingdom-minded people. To pray for the kingdom to come. To seek to find the kingdom. To grow to understand the kingdom more and more. To work to bring the kingdom to reality. To share the kingdom joy.
The kingdom is God’s reign of peace and joy. It is salvation for the sinner. It is hope for the hopeless. It is the breaking the chains of oppression. It is healing for the sick. It is overcoming fear. It is lifting people out of poverty. It is reconciliation of broken and strained relationships. In short, the kingdom is where the realm of God’s good overcomes the realm of darkness and evil.
But maybe you are like me. I know that the flesh gets a hold on me. I become more “Phil-minded” than I am “kingdom-minded.” I am more concerned about my little corner of the world than anything else. I get sucked into the self-absorption of everyone else. I make it about my comfort and contentment. I get offended and angry at others when God calls me to respond with compassion and humility.
Jesus says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 16:25, ESV) It is about less of me and more of him. It is to empty myself of my desires and passions so that I can be filled with his desires and passions. May God move in our hearts to make the kingdom more a reality in our hearts and daily lives. If we were truly kingdom-minded, maybe there would be fewer problems in the world today.
Reflection
- What does it mean to you to live kingdom-minded?
- How have you failed to live kingdom-minded?
Prayer
Lord, may your kingdom come in my life. Give me the mind of Christ. Give me the heart to seek first your kingdom and the courage to advance your kingdom against the darkness of this world. Amen.
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