The Power of God's Kingdom

 The Kingdom of God is a term that we don't understand as much as we should. Jesus had a lot to say about the Kingdom of God. He told parables about it. He gave several different analogies showing what it was like. Still, many Christians don't understand what it is and its significance for us today. To put it simply, the Kingdom of God is anywhere that God is in control. We are part of the Kingdom of God when we give control of our life to Jesus and follow Him. Then, we need to spread the Kingdom to others.

One of the analogies that Jesus gave was that the Kingdom of God is like yeast. This is interesting because most of the time the Bible uses yeast to refer to sin and its power. So we need to really think about this. (Luke 13:20,21) He also asked, "What else is the Kingdom of God like? It is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." See what I mean? Let's let this sink in for a minute.

When we become a part of the Kingdom of God, we have the power of God in us to fill every part of our lives. God wants to permeate every aspect of who we are. He wants to give us His power to rise up to the challenge of living the Christian life. The decision lies with each of us, as Christians. Are we going to allow God to take over every corner of our heart, or are we going to try to live by our own power in certain areas? If we don't surrender to God's rule, we will fail to be the person God desires for us to be.

Also, we, as Christians and as members of a church, have to decide if we are going to allow God to be in control, so He can spread His kingdom through us and our church to fill all of our culture and our world. The power is available, and it is possible, but we have to let the power of God work through us to reach people for Christ and to spread the kingdom by starting new churches here and around the world. I believe Jesus used the same analogy as was used for sin, because if we don't allow God's Kingdom to be in charge and change us and the world, sin will do it. We don't want sin to reign in our lives or in the world, so we must allow God's Kingdom to reign supreme. 

Tomorrow, I intend to read Luke 14-16.