I came across a post today that said Christians must divide and destroy Satan's kingdom, and that we must not become a secret society. The post linked a page of Bible verses that I read though, and these sentences stuck out at me, "Do not be called Rabbi, since you have only one Master...You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven." (Matthew 23.8-9)
The verses, though two adjacent sentences, were divided on the sheet with others sandwiched in between them. Suddenly a piece of scripture that had eluded me for years came to understanding. Once I read the first verse, the wheels started turning (after having been rusted for a good few months), and then by the second, it was clear: When Jesus said "Teacher" and "Father" he meant our only one guide, the Holy Spirit.
Jesus told us that the kingdom of God is within us, but what does this mean? Can it mean that we are free from danger, and if so then why does Paul later tell us that the works of the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God? ("Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like" [Galatians 5.19-21])
The baptized have received the Holy Spirit, and yet we are so violent and misguided. It is apparent that the kingdom of God is not the same as heaven. Immediately, the word "Peace" came to mind. I Googled, "The kingdom of God is peace", and found that Paul stated this in Romans 14.17, "The kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but justice, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Jesus said "Peace I give you, my peace I leave you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." (John 14.27). We may accept this peace by listening to the truths of the Spirit, instead of the hatred in each other. When we do not succumb to the flesh which confuses us, we are able to see what is unequivocally true through our Father's instruction: we find the kingdom of God.
Jesus said "Peace I give you, my peace I leave you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." (John 14.27). We may accept this peace by listening to the truths of the Spirit, instead of the hatred in each other. When we do not succumb to the flesh which confuses us, we are able to see what is unequivocally true through our Father's instruction: we find the kingdom of God.
Listen, my child, to your father's instruction,
do not reject your mother's teaching:
they will be a crown of grace for your head,
a circlet for your neck.
Proverbs 1.8-9
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