Wed., 12/3/14 Devotion (Lk. 17:20-21)

Today's encouragement comes from Luke 17:20 & 21, which says this:

"Now when [Jesus] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, 'The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, "See here!" or "See there!" For in-deed, the kingdom of God is within [or among] you.' "

In brief, the kingdom of God is wherever Jesus Christ is, covenantally-experi-enced. This is more than simply His omnipresence, by the Spirit. It is also more than His locative position in heaven, where His glorified body and blood is. It is also much more than a future "kingdom" on earth. The kingdom of God is now—wherever Christ is glorified in His church: in the individual ex-pression of particular saints; and in the corporate worship of the body of Christ.

Let us be thankful that the King of the kingdom makes all the difference. The kingdom of God is "within" us, or "among” us—if Jesus is truly ours by faith.

[Puritan quote of the day: "They seek for heaven in hell that seek for spiritual love in an unchanged heart." —Richard Sibbes, in "The Bruised Reed"]