Luke 17:21 - "...the kingdom of God is within you." There are some who think it is the Church's responsibility to establish HIS kingdom upon the earth, while others hold to HIS kingdom is within each believer and awaiting HIS future kingdom which HE will rule over upon HIS return.
for behold the kingdom of God is within you: in the elect of God among the Jews, in their hearts; it being of a spiritual nature, and lying in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost; in the dispossession of Satan, the strong man armed; in the putting down of the old man, sin, with its deceitful lusts, from the throne; and in setting up a principle of grace, as a governing one; and so escapes the observation of natural men, and cannot be pointed at as here, or there: hence it appears, that the work of grace is an internal thing; it is wrought in the hearts of men; it has its seat in the inward parts, and is therefore called the inner, and the hidden man: it does not lie in words, in an outward profession of religion: it is oil in the vessel of the heart, and is distinct from the lamp of a visible profession; it does not lie in external works and duties, but it is an inward principle of holiness in the soul, or spirit of man, produced there by the Spirit of God, and is therefore called by his name, Joh_3:6 and it also appears to be a very glorious thing, since it is signified by a kingdom: it is a rich treasure; it is gold tried in the fire, which makes rich; it is an estate, that good part, and portion, which can never be taken away; it is preferable to the greatest portion on earth men can enjoy; even the largest and richest kingdom in the world is not to be compared with it; it is a kingdom which cannot be moved; and as it is glorious in itself, it makes such glorious who are partakers of it: "the king's daughter is all glorious within", Psa_45:13 and it is high in the esteem of God; it is the hidden man of the heart, but it is in his sight; it is in his view, and is in his sight of great price: it is likewise evident from hence, that it has great power and authority in the soul; it has the government in it; it reigns, through righteousness, unto eternal life; and by it, Christ, as king of saints, dwells and reigns in his people. Now this is not to be understood of the Scribes and Pharisees, as if they had any such internal principle in them, who were as painted sepulchres, and had nothing but rottenness and corruption in them: but the sense is, that there were some of the people of the Jews, of whom the Pharisees were a part, who had been powerfully wrought upon under the ministry of John, Christ, and his apostles; and were so many instances of efficacious grace, and of the kingdom of God, and of his Gospel coming with power to them. Though the words may be rendered,
Does the kingdom of God reside within thy heart? Is our focus upon serving HIM, as the Sovereign Ruler? The one who is and is to come? Wherefore put we our trust, time or energy in anything other than that which delights HIM?
Which leads me to the last passage which caused me pause. Luke 18:1 - "...men ought always to pray, and not to faint:"
ought - necessary
always - all times
pray - supplicate to God, worship
not - God forbid
faint - bad, weak, fail (in heart)
O Lord, You have taught us, Your people, how we ought to pray. Given us instruction and encouragement to do so...commanded us to pray. Help us, Your people Father, to faint not, but to always and continually be lifting up prayer, adoration and worship unto You who is Holy.
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