Living in the Kingdom
Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17:20–21
The Lord enables us to overcome the world because we can live in the Kingdom while our flesh lives in the world. We are spiritual people, and our life is in our soul. Our soul is our thoughts, personality, and will; our soul is created in the image of God which is fulfilled when living in the Kingdom close to Christ.
They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (John 17:16) Jesus was not of this world. He ministered to the world as a servant while He always knew his home was in Heaven with the Father. Living in the Kingdom motivates us to serve the Lord with a heart filled with God’s love, and our closeness to the Lord increases as the love in our hearts increase. Our desire to be with Christ and the Father increases, driving us to spiritually grow and to live our life more pleasing the Lord. The closer we are to the Lord with a heart of love, the more we are motivated to be closer to the Lord. This motivation, to be closer to the Lord, greatly changes us!
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. (Colossians 3:2) Our thoughts determine where our soul goes – things above or things of the world. It may sound difficult to keep our thoughts on things above. However, if we pray for the Lord’s guidance to change our thoughts on things above, it will happen and it will become natural because things above will become more interesting and fulfilling than things of the world.
Our soul can live in the Kingdom even though our flesh lives in the world where our thoughts have to be on our worldly tasks. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24 NASB) This verse is the secret of living in the world while our soul remains in the Kingdom. We do everything as serving the Lord and this keeps us connected to Lord through the Spirit. We will now go through life guided by the Spirit to reflect Jesus in everything we do in life.
Today, know the Lord desires for you to live in the Kingdom and to be close to Him. His Word reveals how to live in the Kingdom, and we ask the Lord for his power to fulfill His commands. We live in the Kingdom with a strong desire to serve Him with a heart that is pleasing to Him.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live in the Kingdom while I live and work in this world. I need your power to fulfill your commands and I pray that I serve as guided by the Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.