The Kingdom Within

The fruit of the Spirit is not what we can make ourselves do for a moment, But what God makes us to be for a lifetime.
- Wayne Jacobsen

The Kingdom Within

Secular and religious alike hope to find answers to life's ultimate questions. Christians seek to know and serve Christ, creation's transcendent and intimate Creator and Savior. Yet more often than not, even devout believers feel discouraged and somewhat alienated by God's apparent silence and distance.

Failing to fully encounter the Kingdom of God's transformative power, many succumb to disappointment, doubting the fairness or goodness of God. Such feelings raise important questions. Can God be authentically and reliably experienced? Does Scripture actually offer an inward manifestation of the very person and presence of the Almighty? If so, is this a process and/or event? What hinderances might there be to developing the Kingdom of God within? Does the Bible offer insight and instruction on how we can grow in God?

He answered them, “People can’t observe the coming of God’s kingdom. They can’t say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ You see, the kingdom of God is within you.”

- Luke 17:20-21 GW

Happiness is a primary goal for everyone. Religious or not, each of us works towards and anticipates a certain measure of personal fulfillment. Many forms of government, not the least of which Capitalism, capitalize on the concept by recognizing if not creating a felt need and then, at a healthy profit, providing the perfect product or service to scratch our itch.

Hoping to be seen as relevant, Modern Christianity has adopted the "Me-ism worldview" by accentuating Scripture's repeated declarations of God's love, mercy and faithfulness over and above Divine righteousness, judgment and sovereignty. Sadly, the cost of becoming increasingly "seeker friendly" has been to circumvent countless Biblical passages explaining the conditions God sets regarding such crucial issues as salvation, sanctification and answered prayer.

Such distinctions seem subtle. Clearly, with over 1,000 promises, the Bible is ladened of wonderful passages regarding God's blessings in this life and the next. Just a handful of those from the lips of Jesus illustrate the point:

"Jesus returned to Galilee powerful in the Spirit. News that he was back spread through the countryside. He taught in their meeting places to everyone's acclaim and pleasure. He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written, 'God's Spirit is on me; he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to the poor. Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind. To set the burdened and battered free, to announce, This is God's year to act!' He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, 'You've just heard Scripture make history. It came true just now in this place.'" Luke 4:14-21 MSG

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3-10 NIV

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life." John 3:16-17 MSG

"On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, 'Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” John 7:37-38

"So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free." John 8:36

"I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." John 10:10 MSG

Wonderful verses like these provide compelling evidence that mankind is in God's thoughts. The very concept of the incarnation, that Omnity would become a man, as well as the incalculably high price of Christ's atonement make an convincing argument that humanity ranks center stage in God's plans for creation. As the Apostle Paul, the New Testament's most prolific author extols:

"What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?" Romans 8:31-32

"That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.' But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets." 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

"I don't want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift—Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future—all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God." 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 MSG

Paul continues assuring the often harassed and persecuted early Church that God's promises of both access to His presence in this life and future eternal rewards were dependable. The apostle goes so far as to explain God's gift of the infilling and empowering of the Holy Spirit as a sign and foretaste of His Kingdom's reality as well as a guarantee all future promises would be fulfilled:

"For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us." 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

"This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!" Romans 8:15-16 MSG

The New Testament describes the wonder of God dwelling with men, first through Emmanuel (God with us) and then by the indwelling of the Spirit (God in us) as an earthly manifestation of the Kingdom of Heaven. Quantum in nature, the Kingdom of God is both within and without, as well as here and not yet:

"In those days John the Baptist came to the Judean wilderness and began preaching. His message was, 'Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.'" Matthew 3:1-2

"When Jesus got word that John had been arrested, he returned to Galilee. He moved from his hometown, Nazareth, to the lakeside village Capernaum, nestled at the base of the Zebulun and Naphtali hills. This move completed Isaiah's sermon: Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, road to the sea, over Jordan, Galilee, crossroads for the nations. People sitting out their lives in the dark saw a huge light; Sitting in that dark, dark country of death, they watched the sun come up. This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here." Matthew 4:12-17 MSG

"I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!" Matthew 5:18-20

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:31-33

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:21-23

"Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:35-36

"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s Kingdom. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" Matthew 13:43

"Jesus came back, 'God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. And that's not all. You will have complete and free access to God's kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven."' Matthew 16:17-19 MSG

"At about the same time, the disciples came to Jesus asking, "Who gets the highest rank in God's kingdom?" For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, "I'm telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you're not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God's kingdom. What's more, when you receive the childlike on my account, it's the same as receiving me. Matthew 18:1-5 MSG

"As he watched him go, Jesus told his disciples, 'Do you have any idea how difficult it is for the rich to enter God's kingdom? Let me tell you, it's easier to gallop a camel through a needle's eye than for the rich to enter God's kingdom.'" Matthew 19:23-34 MSG

"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, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21 NIV

What Kingdom?

The word "kingdom" is used over 150 times in the New Testament alone. With direct and indirect references across every page, it's a core concept of Biblical Christianity yet isn't easily defined. As a description of Omnity's presence and power, provision and protection, the term could hardly be more full of meaning. In many respects, as the extension of Divinity, God's Kingdom's as gloriously transcendent as is He. His Kingdom stretches across the vast history of time and eternity throughout three heavens, yet is present in the least mortal act of living faith, such as loving our neighbor as ourselves.

One of the most well known passages describing the Kingdom is were the term "born again" originates. At the onset of Christ's ministry, a Jewish religious leader named Nicodemus comes to Jesus privately in hopes of understanding His new teaching:

"There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, 'Rabbi, we all know you're a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren't in on it.' Jesus said, 'You're absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it's not possible to see what I'm pointing to—to God's kingdom.' 'How can anyone,' said Nicodemus, 'be born who has already been born and grown up? You can't re-enter your mother's womb and be born again. What are you saying with this born-from-above talk?' Jesus said, 'You're not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the 'wind-hovering-over-the-water' creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it's not possible to enter God's kingdom. When you look at a baby, it's just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can't see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. So don't be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be born from above—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it's headed next. That's the way it is with everyone born from above by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.'" John 3:1-8 MSG

In The Message's handling of this passage, the commonly used phrase "born again" is more aptly rendered "born from above." Given the dialogue, either and both terms seem to do justice to the context of the passage, denoting substantial change. Jesus' choice of the terms "see" and then "enter" might be said to denote both an event and process. Millennia later, many still disagree as to the exact meaning of this conversation. Sadly, modern Christianity argues that simple mental assent of Christ's divinity is enough to assure one's place in heaven. Yet the passion and zeal for the Kingdom seen in the life and words of Jesus and His apostles tell quite a different tale. Genuine faith produces genuine results. As an earthly birth sets in motion a lifetime of growth and experience, so it must be with one "born from above." As the Apostle Paul explains, "Without faith it's impossible to please God. For to come to God one must believe that He is, and that He's a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

In the age of technical advancement and amusement, "Me-ism" is on the rise while seeking and serving God's quickly becoming a thing of the past. In direct opposition to the Kingdom of God, assumption and presumption, rather than brokenness and humility, carry the day. Unfortunately, few seem the wiser, even as Churchianity succumbs to the greatest quantity and quality of unbelief and immorality in human history. Temptation and deception are ubiquitous. Instant gratification and diversion have replaced Bible study and prayer to the point that most church attenders are content to be Scripturally illiterate (unable to quote 10 verses in a row) and all but prayerless (stopping to pray less than ten minutes a day).

An additional challenge to understanding the role of God's Kingdom in modern life are our unprecedented blessings of freedom and democracy. Those of us living in First World Nations, in many respect living life’s rivaling those of mythological gods, may find it virtually impossible to envision daily life under even benign autocratic rule. For Americans, unprecedented wealth and personal opportunity have become inalienable rights. The very idea of having either choice or convenience curtailed by a sovereign is next to intolerable, even should that King be God. A fact born out by the lack of restraint and flagrant disobedience among even believers in a world plunging headlong into a post Christian era.

Such challenges, as well as a host of others, conspire to limit our concept of the Kingdom and it's impact on our lifestyles. Rather than developing a robust understanding and application of Biblical truth and principals, most settle for hoping a favorite verse or two might prove true on their behalf. A smorgasbord of wonderful Scriptures to choose from combined with opulent lifestyles seem to paint a picture of God continually smiling down on His creation. At least until trouble comes or tragedy strikes, revealing the depth of our faith or lack thereof. Even then, many find it easier to comfort themselves with promising platitudes or choreographed coincidences than to take an hard honest look at life's ultimate questions. Experience can be a harsh teacher, particularly to those failing to listen and learn. Like water to a tea bag, difficulties tend to reveal what inside.

In regards to taking issue with God, particularly when it comes to problems and pain, C.S. Lewis noted "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world." and again, “God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain.” While insightful, given todays ubiquitous levels of temptation and deception God's whispering in our pleasure, speaking in our conscience and shouting in our pain (physical and/or emotional, social and/or spiritual) largely falls on deaf ears. All the more so given the myriad distractions and deceptions synonymous with modern life.

Nearly as true inside as outside Churchianity, only verifiable and repeatable (in that order) power discipleship and evangelism (in that order) can hope to open eyes and ears, hearts and minds widely sealed shut by worldliness and worse. Such power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit has largely been unseen since the birth of the Church, necessitating a 21 century Pentecost with a global outpouring of a thousand, if not million upper rooms. Only truly transformed Kingdom citizens, "new creations" fully filled with the fruit and gifts of the Spirit are armed to overcome the stains of today's pleasures, much less withstand the pains of current and coming trial and tribulation.

The question is "what's He on about?" What about the Kingdom do we seem to have such difficulty hearing and how might we increase our reception? While God may well have much to say, explaining the offer and inner workings of His Kingdom must be high on the list. As with all Christ's teachings, His revelation that "The kingdom is within you" suggests the necessity of developing a robust inner spiritual life. Realizing God's relevance and investing serious time and effort in attaining and maintaining a relationship with Omnity is a requirement of Christianity:

"Dear friend, listen well to my words; tune your ears to my voice. Keep my message in plain view at all times. Concentrate! Learn it by heart! Those who discover these words live, really live; body and soul, they're bursting with health. Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust." Proverbs 4:20-27 MSG

"When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!" Galatians 5:19-23

We have much to learn from even just these single Old and New Testament passages. Proverbs warns to "keep vigilant watch over your heart" or inner lives, from where our reaction to life arises. A truth later verified by Jesus. The Galatians passages paints an even more vivid picture of those who do and don't. Wisdom from below and above are revealed by their produce, worldly thinking and feeling contrasting sharply with the fruit of the Spirit.

The earthly experience of the inner dimension of the Kingdom of Heaven offers great promise. Imagine what a pill or procedure producing actual "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" would be worth. Millions, if not billions, have sold their lives and very souls cheaply hoping to obtain even a sliver of such bounty. Such a invitation seems to offers the dream of inward utopia, a personal Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, it doesn't take a marketing department to see something's amiss. Rather than Earth being filled with Christians, filled in turn with the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit, we find anything but. More often than not modern life's overrun with the kinds of works of selfishness referenced above. A fact more recognizable with the passage translated into contemporary language:

"It's obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom." Galatians 5:19-21 MSG

Arrested Development

In regards to the modern church, the disconnect between God's amazing offers and human experience is not only apparent but shocking. Why should the vast majority of believers live seemingly bereft of such wonderful benefits? The answer to this crucial question entails one or more of the following explanations for Scriptures seeming incongruity with modern life:

1. Poetic expression vs experience: For whatever reason, the passage in Galatians, and others like it, are goals that exceed our grasp. Offered more as abstract encouragement and inspiration for the human spirit than hard and fast guidelines for behavior, such verses should not be taken too literally.

2. Apathy and unbelief: Raised on instant gratification, our generation's largely unwilling to base the pursuit of personal happiness on promises from ancient scripture. Without proof of God's goodness and compelling answers to a thousand valid questions regarding life's, and by extension God's fairness, mental assent and spotty to regular church attendance are pretty much all that can be realistically expected.

3. Temptation and deception: Churchianity has been enticed into believing God's word is less relevant than worldly pursuits. Lured by a Deceiver into the original sin of entitlement, amusements (literally: not to think) and immorality have replaced living faith and genuine holiness. Rather than seeking and serving God, disenchanted believers look to a vast array of legitimate and illegitimate personal freedoms for fulfillment.

Higher criticism and liberal Biblical interpretation diminish the potential of Scripture by reducing much of it's meaning to wishful thinking or literary device. Those subscribing to such views reconcile the gulf between Divine expression and human experience through poetic license. Yet a more comprehensive handing suggests the Bible's far more than mythology laced with history and myth. Evidence abounds supporting the inspiration and authority of Scripture making the Bible the Book of Books in more ways than one.

With so many compelling reasons to believe, difficulties in experiencing the presence of God inwardly and outwardly must arise from human or spiritual resistance. It's understandable that mankind, facing the hardships and harsh realities of life should take issue with God. Loneliness and loss, distress and disease, not to mention pain and death raise serious questions regarding the apparent silence and distance of our faithful Creator and Savior. Furthermore, the Bible itself describes a spiritual war raging throughout heaven and earth. Eternity's history, as well as our own, is one of conflict between good or God, and Evil or an Evil One.

By definition, earthly Kingdom's have enemies. The Kingdom of God is no exception, it's foes as numerous as they are fortified. Human foolishness and pride among them, mankind's fallen nature pairs seamlessly with devilish temptation and deceit. In concert, such adversaries present an united front against humanity experiencing much of what the Kingdom of God affords. For this and other reasons, developing the Kingdom within is crucial for those endeavoring to "fight the good fight of faith." As Sun Tzu points out in his famous, Art of War "know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss."

While often neglected, identifying Kingdom resistance within our own lives as well as society at large is an integral part of combat. All the more so given the Holy Spirit's guardianship of Christ's Kingdom. As the Person of the Trinity most currently abiding on earth and in residence within believers, we would do well to understand what pleases and grieves the Spirit of God:

"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!" John 14:15-17 MSG

”I didn't tell you this earlier because I was with you every day. But now I am on my way to the One who sent me. Not one of you has asked, 'Where are you going?' Instead, the longer I've talked, the sadder you've become. So let me say it again, this truth: It's better for you that I leave. If I don't leave, the Friend won't come. But if I go, I'll send him to you. When he comes, he'll expose the error of the godless world's view of sin, righteousness, and judgment: He'll show them that their refusal to believe in me is their basic sin; that righteousness comes from above, where I am with the Father, out of their sight and control; that judgment takes place as the ruler of this godless world is brought to trial and convicted. I still have many things to tell you, but you can't handle them now. But when the Friend comes, the Spirit of the Truth, he will take you by the hand and guide you into all the truth there is. He won't draw attention to himself, but will make sense out of what is about to happen and, indeed, out of all that I have done and said. He will honor me; he will take from me and deliver it to you. Everything the Father has is also mine. That is why I've said, 'He takes from me and delivers to you.'" John 16:4-15 MSG

”If it's by God's power that I am sending the evil spirits packing, then God's kingdom is here for sure. How in the world do you think it's possible in broad daylight to enter the house of an awake, able-bodied man and walk off with his possessions unless you tie him up first? Tie him up, though, and you can clean him out. This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you're not on my side, you're the enemy; if you're not helping, you're making things worse. There's nothing done or said that can't be forgiven. But if you deliberately persist in your slanders against God's Spirit, you are repudiating the very One who forgives. If you reject the Son of Man out of some misunderstanding, the Holy Spirit can forgive you, but when you reject the Holy Spirit, you're sawing off the branch on which you're sitting, severing by your own perversity all connection with the One who forgives." Matthew 12:28-30 MSG

“Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you. What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:20-32 MSG

”Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the Spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, 'God opposes the proud but favors the humble.' So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." James 4:4-10

It takes just a few passages to appreciate Scripture's warning against grieving the Holy Spirit through our words and deeds. Furthermore, as Omnity resident within humanity, it's easy to understand how our thoughts and feelings could never be hidden from Omniscience and therefore effect our relationship with "Him with whom we have to do." As the ultimate Author of Scripture, what can be said of the Bible goes double for the Spirit of God:

"Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God." 2 Peter 1:20-21

"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." Hebrews 4:12-13

Failure to carefully consider what attracts or repels the Spirit is a leading reason believers feel isolated from God. Studying the attitudes and actions addressed by such passages already quoted and others like them provide insight into this important issue. Obviously, with the "first name" of Holy, immorality of any kind is out of the question. What's less clear is what constitutes the limits of morality in modern society as well as what other issues may be of primary importance when it comes to pleasing and experiencing God.

Growing in God

As in any relationship, sensitivity is key to approaching God and developing a sense of His presence. Scripture repeatedly reminds that sins of commission, or the wrong we do, can kill any hopes of legitimacy, much less intimacy. More subtle, and therefore often overlooked, are sins of omission, or the good we leave undone. As James explains, "Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." From salvation to knowing God's will and experiencing the power of the Kingdom, Scripture places great emphasis on developing godly habits and behavior.

Bible study and daily prayer are key elements in realizing God's will in and for our lives. Loving the silent and invisible God "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" is not only the first commandment but the greatest challenge facing humanity. Being still and actively waiting on God requires a brokenness and humility in short supply. Given the differing doctrines and practices of a thousand Christian sects, learning to speak the language of the Spirit through the honest and diligent study of scripture seems more than most pastors and even theologians appear capable of. Nonetheless, with hell to loose and heaven to gain, it's incumbent on each of us to do our best to understand, come to know and endeavor to please our Creator and Savior .

Thankfully, modern life abounds with the time and resources necessary to "work the work of God." With six billion copies printed, the Bible is anything but scarce. Add to this hundreds of thousands of commentaries and sermons, many of which are available within a couple of clicks on the internet. Not easy enough? How about instant access by cell phone app? Of course, with the average American watching nearly 3 hours of TV a day, time's not really an issue. Through computer programs and search engines, the least sophisticated among us possess a portal to the sum of all human knowledge. Instantly accessible, at our command any topic, word or phrase is categorized and displayed in a fraction of a second. Googling, "speed of internet" returns 165,000,000 results in .17 seconds.

With over 1,500 hours of free time annually, and what would have seemed nothing short of miraculous research capabilities to all past generations, clearly modern Christians have every opportunity to grow in God. With so much at stake in time and eternity, rather than continually settling for the counterfeit happiness the world offers, or the anemic faith so prevalent within Churchianity, let us rise to the occasion and harness at least a fraction of the potential we've been given.

Christ’s harsher commands and the New Testament’s call to radical discipleship aside, concept of a benevolent Kingdom of God seems simple and reasonable enough. Yet ironically, the greatest truth of Scripture, that of context, reveals the reason so few today may be experiencing genuine salvation, much less humbling themselves to the point of encountering the Kingdom's transformative power. As fallen mortals with extremely limited and fleeting free will caught in a cosmic war with ancient and malevolent supernatural beings, the human race is clearly outmatched. Raised with the mentality of spoiled spiritual refugees, we must find the courage to admit and face our personal and corporate issues with God in the light of our desperate need of Him. Whether foolishly apathetic or dazed and confused from wandering in a spiritual wilderness, we must press on and into the heart of the Kingdom. For those war torn and weary, disappointed by sorrow and grief, let us continue our efforts to breakthrough and wrestle with God for our sake and that of His people. May the Holy Spirit help us recall and comprehend the laments, complaints and prayers of the patriarchs, prophets and apostles, finding solace in Scripture:

"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" Hebrews 12:1-3 MSG

”In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don't feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children? My dear child, don't shrug off God's discipline, but don't be crushed by it either. It's the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects. God is educating you; that's why you must never drop out. He's treating you as dear children. This trouble you're in isn't punishment; it's training, the normal experience of children... At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." Hebrews 12:4-6,11 MSG

”So don't sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears." Hebrews 12:12-17 MSG

While our individual experiences vary by circumstance and choice, life's ultimate challenge to develop the Kingdom of God within presents itself daily before mankind. Difficult to say the least, it falls to those with "ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches" to care enough to do whatever's necessary to lay hold of the Kingdom's transformative power. Becoming adept in the art of of intercession to the point of prevailing with God by refusing to take "no" for an answer are necessary steps. Living fasted lifestyle we must become proficient in overcoming through such methods of prayer as silence and repentance, conversation and thanksgiving, petition and even complaint.

It's been said, "What one man can do another can do." The Bible as a whole and particularly Hebrew's "Hall of Fame of Faith" encourages us to follow the example of common men and women who by diligence grew in faith to become sometimes known though more often unknown champions of their generation:

"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It's our handle on what we can't see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Hebrews 11:1-2 MSG

”Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world." Hebrews 11:33-38 MSG

The Bible has much to say regarding living faith. In a telling passage on the subject, the gospel writer Luke records Christ's teaching on prayer in a quantum way unique in the New Testament. While many Scriptures, including those Luke pens in this very chapter, suggest God reveals His presence and power, provision and protection "speedily." Yet here we are told the reason for Jesus' teaching on the subject was that perseverance is key and encouraged never give in to despair or give up pursuing God:

"Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. He said, "There was once a judge in some city who never gave God a thought and cared nothing for people. A widow in that city kept after him: 'My rights are being violated. Protect me!' He never gave her the time of day. But after this went on and on he said to himself, 'I care nothing what God thinks, even less what people think. But because this widow won't quit badgering me, I'd better do something and see that she gets justice—otherwise I'm going to end up beaten black-and-blue by her pounding. Then the Master said, 'Do you hear what that judge, corrupt as he is, is saying? So what makes you think God won't step in and work justice for his chosen people, who continue to cry out for help? Won't he stick up for them? I assure you, he will. He will not drag his feet. But how much of that kind of persistent faith will the Son of Man find on the earth when he returns?" Luke 18:1-8 MSG

Christ's question is haunting. Through the power of prophetic revelation, presumably Jesus would have been aware of the future success in Christianity's spreading throughout the earth. Yet with believers numbering in the billions, He wonders aloud, "how much of that kind of persistent faith" will be present at His return in the last days. With the numbers of those willing to regularly labor for hours at a time in prayer sharply declining, it seems His fears were justified. With a revival of the Kingdom's restorative power needed today more than ever, it falls to genuinely prophetic Christians to stay the course, if not redouble our pre-revival repentance in hopes of God graciously sending a new global Pentecost.

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