The U.S. election day is blessedly behind us. Each presidential candidate proposed a vision for the country, and the voters made their choice.
Today I invite you to consider the vision put forth by the leader of a different kind of kingdom.
Jesus, at about age 30, boldly announced that,”The time has come. The kingdom of God is near.” (Mark 1:15) He then traveled through the Galilean area teaching and demonstrating the vision and values of the his kingdom.
A Powerful Kingdom
Jesus taught truth wisely, authoritatively and gently, he healed all kinds of diseases, delivered people from demons, calmed storms, multiplied food and even raised people from the dead. Nothing is impossible for Jesus; his is a very powerful kingdom.
Does a powerful kingdom appeal to you?
A Unified Kingdom
Jesus chose a tax collector, hated for his association with Rome, and a Jewish zealot, working for revolt against Rome, both to be his disciples. In so doing he enveloped the full political spectrum and proved that allegiance to Jesus supersedes political loyalty. He invited men and women, rich and poor, Jews and Gentiles (the divisive racial distinction of Jesus’ day) to enter his kingdom. The Kingdom of God is for everyone, and in it we are each equally loved and valued.
Is it really possible to overcome political, racial, economic, gender and social divisions in such a kingdom? Would you vote for that?
A Free Kingdom
Jesus lived in freedom from the Pharisaical rule book (which was often followed at the expense of God’s true laws), thereby exposing the tyranny of both legalism and politically correct behavior. Jesus followed God, not people.
Would you like to live in real freedom from the legalistic demands and/or group-think expectations of others?
The kingdom of God, its power, unity and freedom, is present on the earth now, and one day it will be fully realized.
Those who follow Jesus represent his kingdom in this world. Does the world see the vision of the kingdom of God?
Would you vote for Jesus?
It’s difficult to get our heads around the concept of the kingdom of God. It always has been. For example, after performing stunning miracles Jesus would tell amazed onlookers not to tell anyone what they had seen. Why would he do that? (More on that in my next post.)
“…the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:45
I would truly value your feedback on a couple of questions:
If you are a follower of Jesus, do you experience power, freedom and unity in your Christian communities?
If you are not a follower of Jesus, do you see evidence of power, freedom and unity among Christians? Does/would that appeal to you?
Connecting Dots...to God 
I realize this is an older post, and that you may not see this response. But I am new to your blog, and will be back, because I feel your peacefulness and sincerity. I am a former DEVOUT (as in seeking God, not by defending doctrine) Christian of many years. I can’t grasp, let alone trust, the Jesus I see in Christians or the Bible (depends on interpretation). I agree with comment by Larry Who 100%. I participated in a women’s ministry 20+ years ago where I was introduced to power, freedom and unity – mixed with laughter, kindness, fun and joyful service. So yes, to your question. Otherwise, however, through 31 years, 5 states, 6 churches, no. I see control (keep doctrine pure at all cost – be holy by being a pharisee – entitlement to preach opinions about God as fact), fear (any different view is from the devil), tradition (more important than kindness or service), ego (need to be “right”), and in all – obvious disconnect from the Jesus you describe in your post. (I would totally vote for Him!). And YES! – power, freedom and unity appeal to me – like tears-in-my eyes craving. I have started over. I listen for God, and to words of peace, such as this post – shutting out the strident voices of “Churchianity” – until I can feel and believe in His love, and my safety in Him. Blessings to you, and thank you for your words.
Thank you for your honest and heartfelt comment. Your “tears-in-my-eyes craving” for the power, unity and freedom that Jesus offers brings tears to my own eyes. How many people are desperate for Him and don’t know it because the church does not represent such a reality? Thankfully, God is able to make Himself known in spite of us, but I pray that we who follow Jesus will live in obvious power, freedom and unity so that others will see and experience it. Peace to you today! Judy
Judy, I admire the clarity of your style and presentation.
To answer your question: “If you are a follower of Jesus, do you experience power, freedom and unity in your Christian communities?”
Mostly, I find that there is some degree of genuine unity and freedom. People don’t seem to care much anymore about denominational affiliations, and we change them (perhaps too easily). With this greater sense of unity, we have lost a healthy emphasis on Biblical doctrine. This isn’t good. The freedom? Mostly, I find that Christians understand in what ways we are free, in what areas. However, power is missing MANY times. Christians become apprehensive about being deceived in some way by the use of the “sign gifts.” Having been in Pentecostal/Charismatic circles at times, I miss this element of a complete life in Jesus, and am grieved when believers dismiss spiritual gifts – the sign gifts, the powerful ones. We have to be discerning about their use, and study all that the Word has to say about them, but when we have done this, and continue to do this, we should trust the Lord to give us His good gifts at His pleasure.
Matthew 7:
8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Bless you, Judy!
Maria
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment, Maria. What I hear you saying is that Christians experience the kingdom of God…sort of. We seem to dilute it with fear, self-interest, and division, don’t we? I suppose I’m idealistic, but when I read of real transformative power in the early church, I see no reason why we shouldn’t experience the same power today. I completely agree that “we should trust the Lord to give us His good gifts at His pleasure.” May it be so! Bless you, Maria.
Thank you, Judy! Remain idealistic. He will do the best things.
Powerful post! It would be awesome if we as Christians lived out the love walk ,but we’re to busy bickering about things that we think are politically correct. How sad,Father please help us bow down to you and do what you want us to do. Amen
Love you Judy 😀
I agree with your prayer, Pat. It’s very tempting for Christians to argue and take sides just like the rest of the culture, and I believe it’s very powerful when we don’t! Thanks for visiting and for sharing your thoughts!
Power to follow God’s will and plan for our lives demands freedom to love and worship Christ. Looking forward to your next post. Blessings
Joy
Thanks Joy!
“…If you are a follower of Jesus, do you experience power, freedom and unity in your Christian communities?…”
Tough question. In my Christian journey of over 27 years, I’ve never witnessed Christians walking in the power and freedom envisioned by Christ for His followers and churches. Some were better than others, but all fell far short, as in far, far short.
And to be honest, this is where we believers and the Church has to go, in order to fulfill the destiny of the Church. How can this be accomplished? Start all over.
Most won’t be willing to do this because there will be numerous mistakes and heavy ridicule from onlookers. It will be messy. My guess is that those willing to go this direction will be new believers and those “rebels” who now bug everyone.
As for unity, hello! Look in the phone book and check out the various flavors of Christianity. That tells the world and everyone about our unity. It’s non-existent. But the great unifier is on the way and will be arriving shortly. It’s called persecution.
I really appreciate your thoughts, Larry. I wonder if anyone has experienced a community that is anything close to the power, freedom and unity that Christ offers us? I’m hoping someone will share such an experience – I’d be very encouraged to hear about it. Thanks Larry! Judy
Timley post…..and a great one at that.
As a follower of Jesus, I personally experience the power, freedom, and unity of (and with) his Spirit. As for the Christian communities I “attend,” however, they don’t look that different from the culture around them; thus they are more enthralled with the power and freedom of their nation, the U.S., than with Jesus’ kingdom of disciples; and the same divisions in their culture are found in those churches as well.
Thank you for visiting and for taking the time to comment. I see from your blog that you are very Kingdom minded. Blessings to you!
This is a powerful and positive post, Judy. I’m going to take a pass on answering your question–however, I’m eagerly awaiting your next post, as I’ve been wanting an answer to the question you intend to address for decades!!! Hope things are well with you–God bless you and your family abundantly. love, Caddo
Hi Caddo, I’ll do my best to offer some helpful thoughts on that question:). The kingdom of God is a concept that I’ve struggled to understand for years. I make no claim to have figured it out, but slowly it is coming into focus. All is well here – and you? God’s richest blessings back to you, Caddo!
Yep, all’s fine here too (things kind of piled up on me for a week, but that’s life–the full glass “tipping over” sometimes!). I guess the reason I’m so interested in what you’ll write, is that I have a painful memory of being in a Bible study with a very stern (Old Testament type) pastor–and when I expressed my question about “why did Jesus tell folks not to talk about what He’d done?”, I was glared at, as though “we don’t question what Jesus said or did”. I wasn’t being disrespectful–but not only did I not get an answer, I felt rebuked and silenced. See you tomorrow–love, Caddo
Good morning Caddo, it makes me sad to hear of church leaders squashing honest questions, for Jesus never did that. He had no use for manipulative or self-serving debates and quickly dispensed with them, but he always welcomed those who truly sought him and the truth he offered. I think he wants us to ask questions, for that forces us into deeper truth. (Or maybe I say that because I have a lot of questions:). Have a great day, Caddo!