Weekly Musing - Pat

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet (Act 2, Scene 2).

“Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” Luke 17-20-21 NKJV.

Words from Shakespeare and Jesus, really? I have a point, stay with me.

In the last couple of months I’ve wondered and asked what “kingdom living” looks like. It came to an uncomfortable truth, I was looking for a list of “do’s and dont’s”.

When Jesus said the kingdom of God is within you, was it a here-and-now reality or a hereafter promise? For me, the following passages confirmed once again it is a now reality!

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”

Romans 14:17 NKJV.

“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power” 1 Corinthians 4:20 NKJV.

“But if (since) the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life (zoe) to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you” Romans 8:11 NKJV.

“But if (since) you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” Galatians 5:18 NKJV.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law” Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV.

Each of the above verses have a source and it’s not us, BUT Father and Son through Holy Spirit. Kingdom living!

A while back the words, “God is not a mystery to solve, but an adventure to embrace” were given to me. In answering my question, God took me on a journey of remembering the discoveries of our adventure:

First and foremost - Awakening to His love;

Passion for Scripture;

Discovery of Grace being a Person;

The wonder of the New Covenant;

Living from Jesus not for Him;

The beauty of Sabbath Rest;

Freedom from performance-driven acceptance;

Not faith IN but THE faith OF Christ;

The magnitude of “It is finished”;

Union/oneness - the lie of separation destroyed;

Christ, the lamb slain BEFORE creation;

The beauty of knowing we were created in Christ not Adam;

For me to live is Christ;

As Christ is, so am I in this world;

Christ AS life!

The life-altering discoveries listed above came in stages and they continue and deepen and I am certain there is more to be revealed as my reliance and rest become more prevalent. There is no need for a “do, don’t do” list because behavior cannot help but to change when God’s truths sink deep and take root in our minds and bodies.

The names may change but the Person does not.

Love is a Person, Grace is a Person and Kingdom living is a Person - Jesus Christ! Everything we desire is found in Christ alone. Christ is the adventure, definition, and practice of kingdom living. The sweet fragrance of the rose that is Christ is breathtaking and life-changing, not only for us, but for all who we encounter in this life!

Breathe deep my friends. May we all see ourselves embraced and enfolded into His love, the epitome of Kingdom living!