Joy In The Kingdom
The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans 14:17
Paul is not saying here that there is no eating and drinking in the kingdom of God. He is simply stating that what you eat and drink does not affect your status in the kingdom of God because the kingdom is not about physical or material things.
The kingdom of God is about spiritual transformation. Living in this kingdom is about being conscious of others and how we can serve them. That is a new concept for some people, but for those who understand, kingdom service produces great joy, peace and righteousness.
Far too many people perceive being in the kingdom as getting saved and going to church on Sunday, and when they have done that they feel they have fulfilled the requirements of the kingdom.
The problem with some people is in that word “requirements.” They look at kingdom service as something they have to do and they want to know the minimum requirements. That attitude does not produce much joy. In fact it doesn’t reflect a heart that has been transformed.
Here is an interesting contrast: Most people I know who are constantly thinking about what they can get out of a relationship are the most unhappy and unsatisfied people, and those who willing give themselves to serving others are the happiest people.
It is amazing that those who are striving to get the things that will make them happy are no more satisfied when they get those things than they were before, but those who sacrifice the most seem to have more joy than anyone.
If you want to be happy focus on making others happy and it will come back to you. Jesus said it this way; “Give and it will be given back to you.” Be ye joyful.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay away from the kind of thinking that only asks for the requirements. Grant me a heart to serve others in the kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.
The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. -Romans 14:17
Paul is not saying here that there is no eating and drinking in the kingdom of God. He is simply stating that what you eat and drink does not affect your status in the kingdom of God because the kingdom is not about physical or material things.
The kingdom of God is about spiritual transformation. Living in this kingdom is about being conscious of others and how we can serve them. That is a new concept for some people, but for those who understand, kingdom service produces great joy, peace and righteousness.
Far too many people perceive being in the kingdom as getting saved and going to church on Sunday, and when they have done that they feel they have fulfilled the requirements of the kingdom.
The problem with some people is in that word “requirements.” They look at kingdom service as something they have to do and they want to know the minimum requirements. That attitude does not produce much joy. In fact it doesn’t reflect a heart that has been transformed.
Here is an interesting contrast: Most people I know who are constantly thinking about what they can get out of a relationship are the most unhappy and unsatisfied people, and those who willing give themselves to serving others are the happiest people.
It is amazing that those who are striving to get the things that will make them happy are no more satisfied when they get those things than they were before, but those who sacrifice the most seem to have more joy than anyone.
If you want to be happy focus on making others happy and it will come back to you. Jesus said it this way; “Give and it will be given back to you.” Be ye joyful.
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay away from the kind of thinking that only asks for the requirements. Grant me a heart to serve others in the kingdom. In Jesus name, amen.
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