Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
The kingdom is to do the Father's will. "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done" is set up as two sides of the same coin. Just as "Love God" and "Love your neighbor" are.
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Expanded, I would say that a kingdom consists of a king and his subjects
*. If the people are not subject then there is no kingdom. Therefore, we might view the kingdom as consisting of the king, his subjects, and the relations between them. The subjects obey and render honor and glory, and the king rules, and gives peace to the land.
Jesus was the Obedient Son: He was the Son of the King, the Man who went to the proverbial "far country" to receive for Himself a kingdom (Luke 19:12). He then became the King of kings and Lord of lords. The disciples were obedient to Him, and thus procured for themselves kingship as well. But our kingship is not to boss others around, but to exhibit self control, to hear and obey the Word of God, and to tell the forces of darkness which have usurped humankind that their day is over. In the name of Jesus, they must depart. They must now and henceforth release the enslaved human race.
A story on obedience: once Jesus told Peter to do something really stupid. But Peter obeyed, because of his relationship with Jesus. I bet he felt dumb, going down to the seashore and casting a hook into the water. What a dumb way to get a coin! Peter, a fisherman, probably had never seen a fish with a coin in its mouth. Yet Jesus commanded, and Peter obeyed. It wasn't about a coin, or about fishing, or about the temple tax. It was about remaining in relationship with Jesus, just as Jesus continually remained in relationship with His Father in heaven.
Quote:
Originally Posted by aron
Whether I live in the kingdom or not, I cannot say, but I do know what it is. The years have not been altogether vain.
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As a confessing Christian I do believe the rudiments of the faith. I have confessed Jesus Christ as Lord, and thus I do hold myself as a citizen of the kingdom of Heaven. But how much I obey, and how much I live in the reality of my confession, the Father knows. I don't judge myself or others, but attempt to press on, while it is today.
*Of course that should be a regent, and his/her subjects. The English case is a good example: we have very successful queens such as Queen Elizabeth I and II, Queen Victoria, and so forth. But I'll keep it in the masculine here, according to the ideas of "Father" and "Son".