September 25, 2005
WHAT IS IT that distinguishes the people of the kingdom of God from any other community, organization or group of people? If we say “They are happy and joyful,” that would be true but there are other people who appear happy and joyful. If we say, “The people of the kingdom love one another,” that also would be true, but so do other groups of people. We could say, “The people of the kingdom have a common purpose,”—well so do others. We could go on and on this way—but there is really only one thing that distinguishes the people of the kingdom of God from others: the Presence of God. God by his Holy Spirit has made his dwelling place among them. Jesus Christ is continuing his work through them. The early church was such a community. There was no question that they had the full life of God among them. All of the above mentioned descriptions applied to them but more fully than to any other group of people.
I used the phrase “people of the kingdom of God” rather than “church people” or “Christians” to designate the carriers of God’s Presence because unfortunately the Presence of God is not with all who call themselves Christians nor with everyone who goes to church. It should be but it isn’t. Many times people do things which grieve the Holy Spirit and the distance between God and his people increases so much so that there is very little distinction between the people of God and other people.
We need to treat the Presence of God as something of great value which we earnestly desire—something without which we refuse to live and work. We need to contend for it as Moses did who refused to lead Israel forward without it. It is a gift of grace in that we cannot earn it but we need to understand what it takes to get it and keep it because it makes all the difference in the world!
*******
If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15, 16)
This page was last updated on Saturday, September 24, 2005