◄ What Does Romans 14:17 Mean? ►

In totality, the kingdom of God reaches to every place in the entire universe, stretching through time and beyond eternity, but in His revelation to man which is detailed in the Scriptures, the kingdom of God almost always restricts its horizons to God's current work and future rule, through a group of His obedient servants.

The kingdom of God is that heavenly sphere of life where His children are willingly governed by the Holy Spirit in which righteousness reigns - and it refers to the Body of Christ, the Church of the Lord Jesus.

Man does not live by bread alone, but by the whole truth of God's Word, and the reach of God's rule stretches far beyond the question of temporal needs such as eating, drinking, and the necessities of this world, for the substance of God's kingdom does not consist of external things which are passing away but of spiritual matters which are eternal. And reconciliation to God, gives birth to righteousness, peace, and joy in the Lord.

But of all the godly qualities that are demanded of God's children by their Father, three important issues have been brought to the focus of our attention: righteousness, peace, and joy, all of which can be summed up in the righteous requirements of a holy God.

Righteousness outlines our relationship with God, for having been forgiven of our sins, we have been placed into right relationship with Him and it behoves us to live righteously before Him all the days of our life. And He has promised to uphold us with His righteous right hand, all the days of our life.

Peace is the status that we are called upon when dealing with our fellow men and Christian brothers so that as far as it depends on us, we are to live at peace with all men, reflecting the character of our heavenly Prince.

Joy should be the outer expression of our inner attitude of contentment, for the joy of the Lord is not only our strength but our eternal sufficiency.

Let us walk in righteousness, peace, and joy today, glorifying God in all we do.

Loving Father, I pray that I may be one that walks in righteousness before You. Help me to be at peace with everyone around me. Give me the joy in my heart that comes from fully submitting my life into Your hands and being led by the Spirit in everything I do. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.