LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JANUARY 11, 2024

 LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JANUARY 11, 2024

Second Peter 1 Inspired Version

“1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Savior Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. 5 And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
6 And to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; 7 And to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. 8 For if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure; for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall; 11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Greetings to all those “Living in the kingdom of God.” What a challenge this scripture is to us in January 2024! There are so many ideas, opinions, etc. floating around regarding 2024. What kind of year will it be, what is going to happen this year, will any of us “see” 2025? Of course, God is the only One who has such power and capability to know all things. So, we trust Him in and for all things.

Last Sunday was another opportunity for many Saints to come to the Lord with broken hearts and contrite spirits as we observed the “Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.” Did each of us as an individual and our branches, groups etc? The Kingdom of God that we are currently living in is to prepare us for the actual Kingdom when Jesus, Mighty King in Zion comes to rule.

We had a big snowstorm in the Independence area, which also included a lot of states and areas this past Monday and Tuesday. As I was thinking about some things today I thought of the scripture from Isaiah 1:18-20 “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land; 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

We drink the wine in remembrance of the blood Jesus shed for each of us. Blood is red. Blood or grape juice are generally very difficult to clean up when spilled. They leave a stain. Even with so many “stain removers” available today, it is still difficult, some times to clean the stain. Only God, when we sincerely repent can remove the stain of sin. Snow, when it first falls is a beautiful creation of God, a brilliant white. What a contrast Isaiah, as directed by God uses. Crimson and scarlet stained individuals can become as snow and wool when we make ourselves presentable to God to be cleansed.

That is our task as we live in the kingdom of God today, to be as white as snow and wool so that others may see Jesus in our daily lives. God be with you in your daily living in His kingdom.

God Bless

Paul Gage