Mark 12:34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”
“The ‘Kingdom of God’ is not a Christian cliché; it is the lifestyle of a child of God.”
Kingdom lifestyle is not just knowing about the King but “knowing the King” as our Lord and our Saviour. Those who know about Jesus are not far from the kingdom but they are not yet in the kingdom. The Kingdom of God is the victorious way of life.
Jesus had an interesting conversation with one of the teachers of the Law. This unnamed lecturer came to Jesus with a question. “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28b). Jesus answered him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself” (vs 30-31). Jesus explained to the teacher and the crowd that ‘loving God’, and ‘the people’ around us, trumps legalism, traditional practices and burnt offerings. Jesus made an intriguing comment about the Teacher, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” This man was an expert in the Law and had a good understanding about the kingdom lifestyle; yet intellectual knowledge could only bring him near and not into the kingdom.
Kingdom Lifestyle is not head knowledge but heart revelation. Kingdom lifestyle is to live guilt-free, fear-free and burden-free. If fear, foreboding and fury still have a grip in our lives, we are not far from the Kingdom but not in the kingdom.
In or Near the Kingdom?
1. Educated: The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy. However, many Christians live in shame, sickness and sorrow. If we are educated but not set free from emotional entanglements, we are still in the periphery of the kingdom.
2. Enlightened: Kingdom lifestyle is a lifestyle of freedom from addictions. A life of perfect peace and ineffable joy. The enlightenment about Jesus empowers us.
3. Energized: Knowledge excites us, but knowing the King will energize us with discernment, wisdom and divine treasures.
Knowledge will bring us near, but knowing the King will take us into the Kingdom of God.
Prayer: King Jesus, reveal yourself more and more to me and help me to understand and enjoy the kingdom lifestyle. Amen.
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