Thursday, February 25, 2016 Thy Kingdom Come
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of
talk but of power. 1Corinthians 4:20
The
phrase, “kingdom of God” is a phrase
rarely used in Paul’s letters. Christians may speak about the kingdom of God in
a variety of ways. First, God rules the universe and everything in it,
including the affairs of humanity (Psalm 66:7; Daniel 5:21). Second, we also
use the phrase “kingdom of God” to refer to the time after the resurrection of
the dead when God rules with without opposition (“kingdom come,” as same say;
Revelation 12:10)
We
give thanks to God for His powerful rule over all the world, and we pray for
the advent of His glorious victory on the Last Day. But when the Bible refers
to the “kingdom of God,” it usually has a different definition in mind. As
Jeffrey Gibbs explains for the Gospel according to Matthew, the kingdom of God
is God’s righteous reign.
To
speak of a “reign” is to imply that a king is present to act as such, “to
reign” then the God of heaven has come down to reign, to perform his kingly
deeds. Thus, the reign of God is not primarily a place. Rather, it is a divine
action that occurs where Jesus is, through his words and deeds. Nor is the
reign of heaven a group of people. Rather, because the God of heaven has begun
to manifest his kingly deeds, a group of people is constituted as those who
believe in God’s reign in Jesus. (Concordia Commentary, Matthew, 48-49)[1]
How
does God’s kingdom come? God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father give us
His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead godly
lives here in time and there in eternity.[2]
O Lord, strong and
mighty, Lord of Hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our
hand pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we
may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever
and ever. Amen[3]
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