Posted by Dena on February 28, 2008, at 0:30:57
In reply to Lou's reply to Dena-stilwtrs » Dena, posted by Lou Pilder on February 27, 2008, at 13:49:40
Lou -
I've been reading a lot about the Kingdom of God lately - it's in so many books I'm finding. It's what Jesus talked about more than anything else (over 100 times). He never spoke of a "personal salvation experience", or the "sinner's prayer", or of it being about "getting out of hell free". It seems to me that the modern gospel message has been trivialized, minimized, and reduced to be just about a destination in the future.
I see the Kingdom of God as being ALL-encompassing... that it's meant to permeate every aspect of life, a radical transformation of everything. That it's about abundant life starting NOW, it's about the journey with Him, now, and continuing on endlessly. That it's about this age, and the ages to come. That it's about His Kingdom and His will coming to earth NOW, as it is in heaven.
I'm reminded of Him saying to seek the Kingdom of God first, and everything else will be added to us. I'm reminded of Him saying that the one who seeks to save his own life will lose it... but the one who has lost his life for His sake will find it.
The Kingdom of God seems to me to be a mysterious and radical realm... an almost upside-down realm compared to the one we perceive around us with our five senses...
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:799425
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20070227/msgs/815110.html