Daytime Dreaming

Two Worlds in Conflict

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, the kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,(of rules, rituals and good morals) nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’  because the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:20-21)

What does it mean: The kingdom of God is within you?

The Pharisees were very religious people. They tried hard to live in ways that in their opinion should be acceptable to God. They observed ceremonies and rituals. They applied strong moral discipline. They believed they were just the sort of people to be well received in the kingdom of God, or so they thought!

Sadly, everything the Pharisees did to appeal to God was external––Of the physical world, not of the kingdom of God. So Jesus says to them: The kingdom of God is within you.

The Pharisees were just like people these days who believe the kingdom of God can be found through observing religious ceremonies or conducting certain rituals and/or through living a morally good life. (as they see it)  Jesus taught that anyone who chooses to live that way will never find the kingdom of God or qualify to enter it. The Pharisees were seeking their reality in the wrong world. They were citizens of the physical world when they should have learned how to become citizens of the spiritual world––The kingdom of God where Jesus rules.

Being a citizen of the kingdom of God

 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

According to the Bible there is a difference between the followers of Jesus and other people. this isn’t always noticeable at first look. Followers of Jesus have an extra dimension to life. They have access to a hidden resource––An invisible reality, which other people don’t have. The apostle Paul mentioned this earlier in this letter, Christ in you, the hope of glory.  This extra something is an invisible dimension within us. It’s the wonder of the Christian life.  It’s also the source of our motivation, strength and joy. If you haven’t discovered this yet  you haven’t  begun to live as you can and should. We truly have access to a new world: If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come ˆ(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Summing up: Followers of Jesus are to continually remember who they are, who we will he when Jesus returns. That’s the true basis for living an authentic Christian life.

How then should we live?  It’s simple really.

Set your hearts and minds on things above...where Christ is..not on earthly things. Jesus has freed us  from everything that keeps us away from God. We are now free to experience the enjoyment of God’s presence. That’s the world we are made for. Hear the apostle: Your life is now hidden with Christ in God  (3b) The new creation has already begun for the authentic Christian.  We can begin right now to enjoy the life of the age to come. Then when the new age comes we will be with Jesus and his people to fully enjoy the new world forever.

How do you respond to that?

Balance of Love

Two people sat

 One on each side of the balances of life.

 One was filled with love.

 One was filled with hate

The hater scowled

 The lover smiled.

One reached out to touch the other

 The other reached out to touch the one.

Four eyes met in juxtaposed action

 Hatred was disclosed as fear

 Love was disclosed as compassion

 Hatred drained away

 Loved filled the cavity

The balance was

 Complete.

‘Love is why. .’