“For 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
The Children of the Kingdom are Righteousness, Peace and Joy.
Are you giving birth to these children?
You should be!
The Kingdom of God is a birthing Kingdom.
If the Kingdom lives in you, you will bring forth righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
I love how the Word of God brings us straight to the point. The Kingdom of God isn’t about rules and regulations. It’s not about what you wear or don’t wear. It’s not about what you eat or don’t eat. It’s not a religious kingdom at all.
“Nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” -Luke 17:21
Everything about the Kingdom starts from within. The Kingdom of God is all about the matters of the heart.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love.” -1 Corinthians 13:13
Look at the Children of the Kingdom!
- Faith
- Hope
- Love
- Righteousness
- Peace
- Joy
And I would add one more child- Truth.
“I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth.” -2 John 1:4
To walk in the Kingdom, to be a child of the Kingdom, is to walk in truth.
There was a time in my life when I focused on the spiritually esoteric things. I wanted to soar in spiritual realms! There’s nothing wrong with “experiences” if they’re from God, and I’ve had many, but those things are not what I would call the “Children of the Kingdom”.
Paul mentioned about going to the third heaven and experiencing incredible things. God brought him directly into the Realms of Glory. Paul didn’t know whether he was in his body, or if his spirit had left and gone to heaven!
“I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows— was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.” -1 Corinthians 12:3
Whatever it was that Paul experienced must have been totally amazing, but he never goes on to tell us about it. He goes into absolutely no detail!
When Paul talks about the Kingdom of God, it’s not his trip to heaven that he talks about. He talks of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. He talks about faith, hope and love.
He even makes the point that we can have the most incredible experiences imaginable, but they’re absolutely nothing without love.
“If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” -1 Corinthians 13:2
Then he goes on to make his entire life and ministry about one thing- Christ, and Him crucified.
“For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” -1 Corinthians 2:2
Instead of talking about his amazing visions, revelations and experiences in the realms of heavenly glory he focuses us on Jesus Christ Himself, and the fact that Jesus was crucified and rose again for us.
Think about it! This guy personally met with Jesus! He traveled into heaven! But when everything’s said and done, what he has to say about “The Kingdom” is that it’s righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!
He points us to the true Children of the Kingdom.
He wants us to understand that these are the things that God gives birth to. These are the things that really matter. These are the things that will identify whether a person has really been traveling with the King!
- Righteousness!
- Peace!
- Joy!
That’s what the Holy Spirit produces in the heart of a man who spends time with the King, and lives in the Kingdom of God.