For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 NIV
Jesus came into the world issuing an invitation to all who would receive it to enter the kingdom of God. What an invitation! The Jews before Jesus were accustomed to Almighty God ruling the world and building His kingdom through the people He had chosen. They were blessed to be part of that chosen community. They were part of the kingdom through birth and participated in the kingdom through keeping rules and regulations.
Then came Jesus. He changed everything. The kingdom of God was now open to everyone –Jews and Gentiles, the high and mighty, the least and lowly. Men and women were equally welcome; every race was welcome. It was no longer a matter of biological birth over which one had no choice. It was a matter of rebirth – spiritual birth into the kingdom through faith in and relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
They found that this relationship was not maintained by adherence to rules and regulations or by performing rituals. This kingdom didn’t focus on what its members ate, drank, or did to be worthy. This kingdom focused on the benefits the members of the kingdom would receive through a relationship with God. They would have many, summarized by three:
Righteousness – Members of the kingdom of God would live in right relationship with God Himself, and also with others. When the relationship with God was settled, it would extend to families, neighbors, and the world.
Peace – In a world of conflict around them, among people and between people and God, and where personal peace with oneself was unusual, citizens of the kingdom of God could experience clarity, calmness, confidence, courage, fulfillment, and contentment – true peace! Experiencing healing of inner wounds and hurts would lead to peace of heart and mind.
Joy – “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things” (Kay Warren). This is only available in the kingdom.
That invitation issued by Jesus is still offered today. He makes good on it every time. Now we as His disciples are commissioned to share the invitation with everyone we know, because it is the invitation everyone needs and craves.
- Whom do you know who needs you to share the invitation of Jesus?