What happens when you bring the gospel of a NEW kingdom to a culture that already has a king? Friction, clashes, and confrontations are inevitable – all forcing people to choose sides.
That’s what Paul and the early church faced as they began to spread the good news. The Kingdom of God was reclaiming territory, but it wasn’t done without resistance.
The idea of a gospel wasn’t unique to Christianity. The emperors and kings had gospels, too. Heralds would announce the good news of the reigning ruler. Augustus, son of a god, ushered in an era of peace. Many of the emperors promised protection, prosperity, paved streets, theater, arenas, and entertainment to the deserving citizens. Of course the expansion of their kingdom was brought through killing and asserting domination of their new territory. Into this empire came the gospel of Jesus, a new King. His gospel offers the good news of life, forgiveness and shalom. Instead of killing those who opposed Him, this King died to bring all into His Kingdom.
The clash between the two kingdoms continues today. A kingdom that takes what it wants, asserts a worldview that more is better and a seeks its own survival versus a Kingdom that gives, that sacrifices and puts other in front of self in order to grow its territory and influence. One king exalts self, putting himself and his desire at the center of the universe. The other King teaches us to live by loving and sacrificing for other.
We face this friction daily and the battle is real. The Kingdom of Almighty God is brought every time His will is done. I constantly make choices on which kingdom I will advance. Do I take time out to listen to someone hurting or do I brush quickly by on my errands? Will I be generous with what I have? Can I love my enemy – or even that person that takes extra effort? How often do I truly put others first? I suspect His Kingdom hasn’t advanced around me as much as it could have.
Love your neighbor. Care for the forgotten. Turn the other cheek.
Time to choose a kingdom – and a King. Which citizenship will we claim?
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17
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