His Good News of the Kingdom

The God of the universe has invaded our planet. He came in Jesus of Nazareth. The age to come has already broken into the present age. This means that Reality is on our side. Now that this has been made plain, there is nothing more important than seeking the kingdom of God. We must make the kingdom, the reign of God, our greatest passion. It is like a great treasure found in a field worth the sacrifice of all we have (Matthew 13:44). It is like the pearl of great price that a man would sell everything to gain (Matthew 13:45–46).

Living with the values of the kingdom brings us into powerful relationships in the church, with others who are kingdom-minded. The kingdom will forever be shared by a community of those with changed lives who are now ready to live as servants.

The coming of the kingdom in all that Jesus was, all that he taught and all that did, represents the most crucial event in human history, for it was there that our history was intersected by the divine. We can keep living as if there is only this present age or we can open our eyes and see that light has broken into the darkness.

And here is the remarkable thing. The kingdom of God comes with power—miracle power, resurrection power, life-changing power¾but it does not come like storm troopers, requiring our obedience with the use of force. It comes like an invitation to a feast issued by a gentle servant who does not break bruised reeds or snuff out smoldering wicks (Isaiah 42:1–3). He will live for us. He will serve us. He will die for us. But he will not force us into his kingdom. All who are there, are there because they have been impressed with an incomprehensible display of love and have accepted a gracious invitation.

In the kingdom of God, an amazing new order of life is offered to us. What choice are you making?