Why does it matter?

What difference does it make if we adopt a kingdom mindset?

One thing it does is change how we view the world. With a kingdom mindset, we see creation as valuable, not something that will be thrown into the trash on Judgment Day.

It also changes our focus on life now. If God is establishing his kingdom right now on earth, then we have a role to play and a job to do. We’re not just sitting around waiting to go to heaven.

If we understand the nature of the conflict between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of this world, then we avoid entanglements that divide our loyalties. As C. S. Lewis said, “There is no neutral ground in the universe: every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter claimed by Satan.”

We also realize that what we do now matters. Because there is a continuity between this creation and the new creation, between our fleshly bodies and our resurrection bodies, everything has eternal consequences. This life is not just a holding pattern until we can get on with “eternal life.” Dallas Willard uses a phrase I like: “eternal kind of life.” That is not something that begins at death. It begins when we join God’s kingdom.

With a kingdom mindset, we take it personally when we see evil, oppression and exploitation. We no longer say, “I can’t get involved. It’s not my problem.” The real “problem of evil” is not why good people suffer. The real “problem of evil” is that evil is an insult to our King. And we are obligated to do something about it.

When we think about recruiting people to the kingdom of God, we realize that our job is not done when a person “accepts Christ.” That’s just the beginning.

And by recognizing that we are part of the kingdom of God, we realize that we are a part of a bigger story. This is not just a story about one person, or one church, or even one period in history. This is God’s story.

To accept the call of grace is to accept the call to join the divine story, the redemptive, covenantal story of the kingdom of God and to gain the recovery of our true human happiness.

Philip Greenslade, A Passion for God’s Story

What difference does a kingdom mindset make? It makes all the difference in the world.

Pastor Rod

“Helping you become the person God created you to be”