THREE KINGDOM REALITIES

"Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:15-17)

DISTRACTING INFLUENCES

From the beginning, the people of God have had to contend with distorted emphases. Early in history, some taught "Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved" (Acts 25:1). The Spirit also warned of those who sought to bind extraneous matters on believers: i.e., "meat . . . drink, or in respect of an holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days" (Col 2:16). There were even philosophers who, through their esoteric prattling and vain deceit corrupted believers (Col 2:8). Things have not changed. Today the church has been inundated with a variety of distracting religious influences--all in the name of Christ. These are things that miss the target. In our text for the day, the Spirit reminded those operating within their own agenda that God has revealed priorities. Christ did not die for people so they could eat the right food and drink the proper drink. Those supposing this to be the case are simply wrong. However notable strict dietary practices may be, they are not to be the means of destroying the people of God, or diverting them from the Kingdom of God. God's reign does not consist of enforcing proper diets. In fact, it is not in "meat and drink." That is not its focus. God's beneficent Kingdom is revealed in "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit." These are its essential elements, and are found in abundance in Christ Jesus the Lord. It is refreshing to consider them.

RIGHTEOUSNESS

"RIGHTEOUSNESS" is a condition of Divine acceptance, were the individual is "approved in Christ" (Rom 16:10). In this state we are "made accepted in the Beloved" (Eph 1:6). Our sins are removed from us as far as the "East is from the West" (Psa 103:12), and God remembers them "no more" (Heb 8:12; 10:17). Of those possessing this righteousness, it is written, "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin" (Rom 4:6-8).

PEACE

"PEACE" is a condition of the soul--one in which stability and calmness are experienced in a tumultuous environment. It can "rule in our hearts," dominating adversity and enabling the child of God to stand in fierce and damaging moral gales (Col 3:15). This peace was purchased at great cost--"through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20). An awareness of Divine approval dominates over the threats of men and attacks of the evil one. In a time when men's hearts are failing them for fear, "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7). The peace of God. What a precious possession! It keeps us from being swallowed up by fear.

JOY

"JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT' is a most marvelous possession. This is a rationale joy, not one which thrusts the individual into some form of holy convulsion disassociated from thought. This joy is coupled with peace, and through believing, and results in an abounding hope. As it is written, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Rom 15:13). This joy is so superior, you can possess it in affliction. As Paul once said, "I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation" (2 Cor 7:4). The churches of Macedonia had joy at the same time they experienced "deep poverty" (2 Cor 8:1-2). It is a joy that is intertwined with faith, and is therefore called "joy in the faith" (Phil 1:25). Earlier believers are said to have "received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit" (1 Thess 1:6).

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

And what of you, dear reader? Do you have "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit?" If you do, you are experiencing the Kingdom of God. Take time now to thank the Lord for such valuable and indispensable resources!

-- MONDAY: A New Series, MAN, MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD --