Monthly Archives: October 2025

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS…AUTHORITY -7b

Bible Study, ,

We have explored the evidence of Jesus’ authority in the gospels. Now let’s examine the implications of His authority for us, who believe in Him and claim to be His disciples. Why should His authority be important to us in our daily lives?

  1. Our first and most important question to answer is…

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Only when we are convinced that Jesus is Lord can we commit to absolute obedience to Him. 

  1. Obedience to Jesus must flow from our love for Him. 

Jesus can only trust us with a commission if we love Him above everything else. After Peter’s denial, he had to settle the issue…

“When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

‭‭John‬ ‭21‬:‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.””

John‬ ‭14‬:‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus’ exaltation as Lord, giving Him supreme authority over heaven and earth, demands absolute obedience. 

Jesus asked an unanswerable question…

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭46‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The implication of our confession must be a commitment to obedience to Jesus as Lord. 

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Outside of our declaration and commitment to obedience to Jesus as Lord, our claim to be His followers is hollow and empty. 

  1. Jesus exercises His authority by His word

…over the universe…

“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

…and in our lives…

“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””

‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. By His words, Jesus will exercise His authority to judge. 

““If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭12‬:‭47‬-‭48‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Now we come to a significant link between Jesus’ authority, faith,  and prayer. 

  1. Faith is intimately connected with Jesus’ authority. 

For faith to be legitimate, it must have a legitimate object. Nothing will happen if we trust in something or someone who has no authority to act. 

Now let’s examine an incident that perfectly illustrates the connection between faith, prayer, and authority. 

“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.” Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭5‬-‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The centurion understood the importance of authority, recognised Jesus’ authority, and based his faith in the authority of Jesus’ spoken word. .  

These aspects of Jesus’ authority underlie the authority he delegates to His followers…

To be continued…

SOME TANDOM THOUGHTS…AUTHORITY – 7a

Christian life, ,

Why is Jesus’ authority so important for us? What does His authority mean to us as His disciples in our daily lives? For a few days, we’ll be digging into this fascinating topic. 

The ongoing conflict between Jesus and His earthly opponents was the issue of authority. His words and works baffled them because, despite what they saw and heard, they refused to accept His claim that He was the Son of God and that His authority came from His Father. To them, this was blasphemy and blasphemy was punishable by death. 

Authority was everything in the Jewish religious system. The religious leaders claimed their authority from Moses except that the laws they tried to enforced came, not from Moses but from their esteemed ancient rabbis who had added protective prohibitions to the Mosaic law contained in the Mishna, a written collection of the Oral Tradition, called the Oral Torah. 

For example…

Jesus and the Pharisees clashed in their interpretation of Sabbath. To the Pharisees, Sabbath was about work, to Jesus…mercy! He claimed authority over the Sabbath, which did not sit well with them.   

“For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In Paleo-Hebrew, the ancient pictographic written language of the Hebrews, the  basic meaning of the name of God, “el” or “Elohim” (plural), was depicted in two pictures, an ox and a staff, signifying “strength and authority”. To the Hebrews, strength and authority summed up who God is and what He does. 

When Jesus claimed authority, by sound what H did, He was claiming to be God. 

In this first section, let’s examine Jesus’ claims. In what way did Jesus’ actions confirm His claim to be the Son of God?

  1. Jesus had authority over nature

He calmed a storm…

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭39‬-‭41‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He walked on water…

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. Jesus taught with authority

“They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. Jesus had authority over the demonic realm

“Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. Jesus had authority over sickness, disease, and disability

“When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭8‬:‭16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus healed a man born blind. 

“As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth…After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.”

‭‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭1‬, ‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus also delegated His authority to heal to His disciples. 

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10‬:‭1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. Jesus had authority over death

“After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”…When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.””

‭‭John‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬, ‭43‬-‭44‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. Jesus had authority to forgive sin

“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” Then the man got up and went home.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9‬:‭2‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

  1. The Father has given all authority to Jesus

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The gospel records show us that Jesus had complete authority over the earth during His earthly life and has been given, because of His obedience to the Father in His life and death, supreme authority over everything in heaven and on earth,  in His exaltation. 

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In our next section, we shall examine the implications of Jesus’ authority over His followers. 

To be continued…

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS…GOD’S WILL ON EARTH -6b

Bible Study, ,

How is God’s will done on earth?

We implement God’s will on earth by prayer through two important attitudes…faith in a reliable object and the authority of that object to do what that it says or stands for. 

First, then, faith must have an object. Faith is an attitude based on the truth that faith’s object exists and that faith’s object can be trusted to live up to its claims. 

Many people worship “gods” who, they believe, claim the right to be trusted. The proof of their existence lies in what they do or don’t do. 

“Why do the nations say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell. They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115‬:‭2‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Faith in inanimate objects is a delusion. Faith in the God of the Bible is legitimate because He exists and He acts according to His Word. 

“With whom, then, will you compare God? To what image will you liken him? As for an idol, a metalworker casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold and fashions silver chains for it…Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood since the earth was founded?… “To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭18‬-‭19‬, ‭21‬, ‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God does not do anything unless we have confidence in Him, that He can and will do what He says. 

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭6‬ ‭NIV

Second, faith is confidence in the authority of the one who speaks…that He has the right to do what He has said. God is God and there is no one above Him. The Father gave Jesus the authority to rule over the nations. Jesus is Lord.

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭9‬-‭11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So, Jesus authorises His disciples to go, to speak, and to do…in His name. 

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28‬:‭18‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

He authorises us to do His works and to pray…in His name. 

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Humans have no authority to say or do anything on God’s behalf without His authorisation. We are only the agents, the voices that relay heaven’s will to earth’s situation. Therefore, we must listen to what God has said. We are God’s prophets. 

To speak for God without authorisation and out of our own imagination is both delusional and dangerous.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God exposed the sin of the false prophets who spoke their own words instead of God’s words. 

“Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord. “Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭NIV‬‬

By contrast, God’s Word, spoken from the mouth of the Lord through the mouth of His prophet, to the appropriate situation on earth, is more powerful than the heat of a fire or the blow of a hammer. 

A true prophet listens to God and speaks His word faithfully to turn people from their sin. 

“I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied. But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭23‬:‭21‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

James assures us that the prayer of an ordinary person like Elijah, for example, but righteous through Jesus and according to His word (implied), is both “powerful and effective.” 

‭‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬b NIV‬‬

God is not obligated to do anything on earth that does not come from His instruction. His will and His will alone is our mandate to speak so that it is done on earth. 

Let us never degrade prayer to the level of the pagans who babble about selfish needs and wants. Let’s remember our mandate to rule with Jesus…now…by listening to Him and speaking His word so that His kingdom will grow and flourish and His will be done here as it is done there. 

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS…GOD’S WILL ON EARTH – 6a

Bible Study, ,

How does God implement His rule in earth? We understand that He is sovereign and that He always does what He has predetermined. We also know that He rules in and through His chosen people. This is a mystery! 

Before God created the universe, His plan was to draw His human creation into partnership with Him. He created mankind in His image and gave humans the mandate to rule over the natural world. Despite every attempt of ungodly people to deny this truth, the Bible declares…

“Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Humans are the unique creation of God, separate and different from the animal world, able to connect with Him through His Spirit and through prayer, and created to rule with Him over the earth. 

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels (that is, “Elohim”…God), and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭8‬:‭3‬-‭6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Not only that but God also tells us what He plans to do … for example…

“Then the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do?” …Then the Lord said, “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me. If not, I will know.” …Then Abraham approached him and said: “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭18‬:‭17, 20‬-‭21‬, ‭23‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so? … Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets.”

‭‭Amos‬ ‭3‬:3, 7 NIV

The mystery deepens!

As we have already discovered, God always works through His Word. He created the universe by His spoken word. He sent Jesus, His Word in person, to complete His communication to the world.  

“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is through His word and most often, in prayer…the way we connect with God, through our spirits and His Spirit…that He makes His mind and His will known to us. He has spoken to us through Jesus and He continues to speak to us through His written Word. 

Prayer, then, is not primarily about our telling God about our “stuff” and getting him to do something about it. When we do this, we have dragged prayer down to the level of the pagans! Prayer is about God sharing His secrets with us. Let that sink in!

“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭25‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God has included everything about the relationship between Himself and us in a legally binding covenant, which Jesus, His Son, signed in His own blood. Included in that covenant is the partnership that we have with Him and through which He carries out His will on earth. 

In a simple sentence, in a few words, Jesus ratified that mandate. 

“…Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In this model prayer, God shows us His way of including His people in the administration of His kingdom and will on earth. Once again, as I have already stated, God always works through His word. His Word expresses His intention and forms the bridge between heaven’s will and His power to way accomplish His will on earth. We speak His Word and He works according to His Word. Again, it’s as simple as that!

To be continued…

SOME RANDOM THOUGHTS…THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN – 5

Bible Study, ,

Matthew 13:44-46NIV

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

“Again, 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.”

We have considered some thoughts about “treasure” in the Bible. I conclude with the words of Jesus about the kingdom of God…a treasure to be sought above all treasures…surely one of the most important truths to consider in the Word. 

Google explains…

“The parable of the treasure in the field teaches that the Kingdom of Heaven is of such immense value that it is worth sacrificing everything to obtain it. The meaning can be understood in two main ways: from the perspective of the individual who finds the treasure and sells all he has to buy the field, or from God’s perspective, who sacrificed His son to acquire humanity. The common interpretation emphasizes the individual’s response to a life-changing revelation of the Kingdom’s worth, while an alternative interpretation sees God as the one who sacrifices to redeem humanity, the treasure.”

Matthew gathered together a cluster of parables Jesus told about the kingdom of God in chapter 13 of his gospel, all beginning with “the kingdom of heaven is like…” As a true Jew, out of reverence for God’s name, he used the word “heaven” in place of “God”. 

Jesus’ stories about God’s kingdom reveal, in many-faceted detail, some of aspects of this “treasure” hidden in a “field” which, in His parables, represents the world. God’s kingdom is like a diamond, for example, mined from the earth, too difficult to describe in one sentence but which flashes with the colours of a prism as we view it from different angles. 

What is God’s kingdom? 

“According to the Bible, God’s Kingdom is the spiritual and literal dominion of God, a heavenly government with Jesus Christ as King, that will rule over all creation and accomplish God’s will on Earth. It is not merely a state of being in the heart but a distinct government with its own rulers, subjects, and laws, which will bring about a future era of peace, abundance, and righteousness by reclaiming creation from evil forces.” (Source: Google AI)

Jesus came to usher in the rule of God again, this time over the whole earth, His rule which His people had rejected by their disobedience to His covenant. 

“From that time on (following His baptism and temptation), Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God had always intended that His government would extend to all the nations on earth. His rule over Israel would show the nations what life would be like in His kingdom…but Israel failed to fulfil its mandate. 

Jesus came from heaven in person to usher in God’s kingdom, first by paying man’s debt of sin by His own death, and second, by giving humans access to His rule through the forgiveness of sin, faith in Him, and the supernatural intervention of God by the new birth. 

Just as humans are citizens of this world through natural birth, so they become citizens of the kingdom of heaven through supernatural birth…from above…as Jesus explained. 

To Nicodemus’ question, “How can a person be born again when he is old?”

“Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” …Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬, ‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s kingdom is both here now, in part, and still to come it its completeness when Jesus returns  to renew the earth and restore His reign over all His creation. 

Why did Jesus refer to the kingdom of God as a treasure and as a pearl of such inestimable value that the one who finds it sacrifices everything to possess it? 

Let’s look at it this way. First, those who are in God’s eternal kingdom will have the nature of Jesus Himself. Their old sin nature and all sin will be gone from them forever. 

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Second, heaven and earth will be united as one, and God Himself will be present with His people in a far more real and tangible way. 

“Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Third, all the effects of sin on earth will be eradicated. 

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Fourth, the reign of Jesus over His kingdom will be perfect…in righteousness, justice, and peace.  

God promised, through His prophet, Isaiah, a kingdom and reign of God’s Son, one devoid of human imperfection. 

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus ushered in this kingdom when He came, offering the promise of the internal reign of God now even in the midst of a corrupt world system, and in the life to come. 

“Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God’s reign is both among us and in us. 

Those who have born supernaturally from above have already come under Jesus’ authority and reign now, in this life. They experience the benefits of God’s benevolent rule, His love, goodness, and favour despite the wickedness of the world around them. 

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭14‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we have God’s kingdom within us now and the benefits of God’s rule in part as a foretaste of life in His kingdom forever. 

Is it any wonder, then, that Jesus called God’s kingdom a treasure…of such great value that nothing is too much to relinquish in exchange for life under God’s rule! There is nothing on earth too big or too valuable to keep or to lose for the sake of this everlasting prize. 

Jimmy Elliot, a martyr for Jesus in the Equadorial jungle in 1956, wrote in his diary…

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.