Luke 17:20-21, “20 Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, 21 nor will people say, Here it is, or There it is, because the kingdom of God is within you.’”

Jesus boldly proclaimed in the passage above that the kingdom of God was now upon the earth in the hearts of His people.  The “kingdom of God” means, “the active rule and reign of Jesus Christ as King.”  The kingdom of God has always been in heaven but He now wanted His kingdom “to come on earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:10.

Therefore, today we should not only have hope to one day be with Jesus in His heavenly kingdom, but we should receive the kingdom of God now in our hearts.  As a result, the first place Jesus wants to invade and set up His kingdom is in your heart.  Thus, who is the King of your life?

When someone repents of their sin and accepts Jesus as the Lord of their life they are automatically given the kingdom of God in their heart.  As a result, if you have confessed Jesus as the Lord of your life the Kingdom of God is within you right now!

We are given the best description of the kingdom of God in the hearts of men by Paul in Romans 14:17.  He described the kingdom of God as, “righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Therefore, according to Jesus you are first promised to have righteousness in your inner being because of Jesus’ work on the cross and are forever free from all sin.  Second, you are promised peace on the inside- to be without storm or conflict both in your relationship with God and with others.  And lastly, joy in the Holy Ghost, which is indescribable emotional elation in God’s presence.

In closing, don’t let the kingdom of this world invade your heart.  But rather fully receive the fullness of God’s kingdom within you today!

Reflection

Do you believe Jesus has placed His righteousness, peace, and joy in your life?

Action

  1. Confess again Jesus as the Lord and King of your life.
  2. Ask Jesus to give you the fullness of His Kingdom in your life by His Holy Spirit.
  3. Daily guard and hold onto the righteousness, peace, and joy His kingdom brings.