I have been dramatically impacted by learning about what the Kingdom of Heaven actually means, and our ultimate hope of what heaven is according to Scripture. So without further adieu, let us dive in to unpacking four questions: 1. What does the "Kingdom of Heaven," mean, (a frequently used term by Jesus and his followers)? 2. What was the first century Jewish expectation for the anticipated Messiah, and what did they think His Kingdom coming to earth would look like? 3. What really happened to Jesus and why did Christianity start? 4. What is our hope and mission as Christians right now? (Now there are volumes and volumes of books written on each of these questions, so I am merely trying to touch the surface of these questions).
I. What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
The Kingdom of Heaven is the real place where God is King, where He reigns, and where His will is always done--his people, in his place, under his benevolent rule. The Kingdom of Heaven is the place where God's subjects obey the laws, statutes, and principles of the government established by Him. It is a real place right alongside the physical reality, but is hidden by a veil from our sight at the present time. Even though we cannot presently see this dimension of reality, it is the more real reality of the two, for it is the dimension where God and all that is eternal dwells. As CS Lewis says, "we are not physical bodies with a soul, we are souls with a physical body." The intangible essence of our personality and personhood that fills our body is the more real and primary part of us than our bodies, just as the heavenly reality is more real than the physical reality, even now. The heavenly dimension precedes and will outlast the physical.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Test yourself in your regard for the Word of God
This post piggy backs off of a previous post titled submission. I am concerned on how we view and approach the Word of God. Here I have given a few verses and questions to test ourselves in.
Joshua 1:7-8: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Questions: Are you careful to obey the Word? Do you believe that the Bible has the best and wisest things to say about the most important topics of human existence? Do you believe that aligning yourself to the teachings of Scripture bring life, peace, a life that flourishes, and success (not success in a worldly sense but success in God's eyes: being conformed to his image, growing in faith, and growing to love Him and others more)?
Joshua 1:7-8: "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
Questions: Are you careful to obey the Word? Do you believe that the Bible has the best and wisest things to say about the most important topics of human existence? Do you believe that aligning yourself to the teachings of Scripture bring life, peace, a life that flourishes, and success (not success in a worldly sense but success in God's eyes: being conformed to his image, growing in faith, and growing to love Him and others more)?
On knowing and discerning God's will
I wanted to compile two helpful things I have read on this question, because it is a very common question, especially amongst college students! So here it goes:
Blog post by John Ortberg:
I was at commencement at a Christian college this weekend, and it reminded me of the question millions of young people are asking this time of year.
We never grow out of that question: Who is operating out of a wisdom surplus?
But the vast majority of people start at the wrong place.
When I finished college, I desperately wanted to know what I should do next. Find a job? Go to grad school? Where? In what field?
I prayed until I was exhausted (and God was probably a little tired of it too). I was ready to do whatever. Just send me a postcard. Put it in sky writing. But I would have gotten more clarity with a Magic 8 ball.
For a good reason.
Which I did not understand for many years. And its this:
God’s main purpose for you is not what you do. Its who you become.
If I always told my kids what do to–wear these clothes, take this job, marry this person–they might do what I say. Their circumstances might even turn out OK.
But they would not grow into excellent persons.
To grow into an excellent person, you have to make choices,
I was at commencement at a Christian college this weekend, and it reminded me of the question millions of young people are asking this time of year.
We never grow out of that question: Who is operating out of a wisdom surplus?
But the vast majority of people start at the wrong place.
When I finished college, I desperately wanted to know what I should do next. Find a job? Go to grad school? Where? In what field?
I prayed until I was exhausted (and God was probably a little tired of it too). I was ready to do whatever. Just send me a postcard. Put it in sky writing. But I would have gotten more clarity with a Magic 8 ball.
For a good reason.
Which I did not understand for many years. And its this:
God’s main purpose for you is not what you do. Its who you become.
If I always told my kids what do to–wear these clothes, take this job, marry this person–they might do what I say. Their circumstances might even turn out OK.
But they would not grow into excellent persons.
To grow into an excellent person, you have to make choices,
A short thought: Reading the Word afresh
What if we had never grown up learning about Christianity from other people, and the first introduction we had to Christianity and to the person of Jesus was reading through the entire New Testament in one sitting. What would be the overall sentiment and impressions we would come away with? What would be the main topics and themes that would emerge the strongest? I want to think about this question more and try reading the Bible with this fresh perspective and (as best I can) without presuppositions or biases, and with an open mind and heart. I think I might be surprised.
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