The Kingdom Within
People will not say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ because God’s kingdom is within you.”
Luke 17:21
What does it mean that the Kingdom is within us and how can the Kingdom within us affect our lives? How do we access the Kingdom and how can we remain in the Kingdom? The Kingdom is God living in us, the Holy Spirit who lives in the heavenly realm; does this mean heaven is within us? How else could the apostle Paul claim to be content in all circumstances? I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. (Philippians 4:12).
The Father sends the Holy Spirit to live in all believers, those who have a repentant heart and receive Christ as there Lord and Savior. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17). Once we receive the Holy Spirit we learn how to live by the Holy Spirit.
The more we read the Word and become familiar with the language of God, the more we can identify the presence of the Holy Spirit. We begin to experience peace, joy, and more love in our heart, and we are more sensitive in pleasing the Lord. We continue reading the Word, praying, fellowshipping with our Christian family, minister to lost souls, and we are conforming to the image of Jesus. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29).
The longer we walk in obedience to the Lord, the more our spiritual thoughts bring us into the Kingdom. The closer we are to the Lord, the more we trust him to lead our life, and the less fear we have. Therefore taking our soul into the Kingdom, by keeping our thoughts more on God, gives us peace, joy, and security, and that is what we expect in Heaven. Therefore as we take our thoughts into the spiritual world, means we are experiencing a little taste of Heaven. If we have alone time with the Lord, and meditate deeply on his Word, the more of Heaven we can experience. Whenever we seek to be closer to the Lord, we are in the Spirit, and we are in the Kingdom where the world disappears.
Today live in the Kingdom by communing with the Lord, praying, reading scripture, or if time allows, stop and meditate on the Lord and his Word. The more we do this the more we find that we can handle our daily work better and be closer to the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. (Colossians 3:23). If we do everything for the Lord, it requires communing with him for his help and guidance.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live in the Kingdom and learn to be content in any all circumstances just as the apostle Paul. Lead me by the Spirit that I might be closer to you than anything in the world. Keep my soul connected to the Spirit. Thank you for placing your Spirit in me and bringing Heaven to me. In Jesus name, Amen