Page 99 - TH130 Kingdom of God A4 Final

Life in the Kingdom

the Kingdom as “blessed” (Matthew 5:3–6). He then tells His followers
to “rejoice and be glad,” even in the midst of persecution (v. 12). Jesus
further promises to give His disciples peace greater than the world
can give (John 14:27), a peace which “transcends all understanding”
(Philippians 4:7). Life in the Kingdom is a life of joy and peace that comes
from the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21; Acts 13:52; Romans 8:6; 14:17; 15:13;
Galatians 5:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

A Kingdom of Righteousness

The kingdom of God is not only a matter of Spirit-given peace and
joy, it is matter of “righteousness…in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).
Righteousness can be defined in two ways. First, righteousness is an
internal state of being in right relationship with God. Second, righteousness
involves external action, or right living. It is living one’s life according
to the standards of God’s kingdom. Jesus told His disciples, “Unless
your righteousness surpasses that of
the Pharisees and the teachers of the
law, you will certainly not enter the
kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). Life in the Kingdom
demands morality.
Life in the Kingdom demands a high
standard of morality. We must be holy We must be holy
as God is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16). As as God is holy.
mentioned above, the righteousness
of the kingdom of God is not merely
an outward righteousness, like that of
the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20), it is an inward purity of life that comes
from having a renewed heart (2 Corinthians 5:17). The law said that we
are not to murder (Exodus 20:13); Jesus says that we are not to get angry
with our brother (Matthew 5:21–22). The law said we are to not commit
adultery (Exodus 20:14); Jesus says we are not to lust after a woman
(Matthew 5:27–32). The law said that we are not to break our oaths, but
Jesus says we are to live lives of such integrity that oaths are unnecessary
(Matthew 5:33–37).

Our righteousness, however, is not our own, it is the righteousness
of Christ, attained through faith in Him and imparted to us by the Holy
Spirit (Romans 4:3–6; 14:17). Life in the Kingdom is thus a life of true
inward purity.

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