Kingdom Living

As Christians, we follow Jesus because of God’s incredible love, shown to us through Him. We belong to His Kingdom – He reigns, and we are His people. As Dallas Willard says.

“The eternal life that begins with confidence in Jesus is a life in his present kingdom, now on earth and available to all. So the message of and about him is specifically a gospel for our life now, not just for dying. It is about living now as his apprentice in kingdom living, not just as a consumer of his merits. Our future, however far we look, is a natural extension of the faith by which we live now and the life in which we now participate. Eternity is now in flight and we with it, like it or not.”

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God (p. 6). Kindle Edition.

We are Kingdom people called to Kingdom living. Over the coming months we will delve into key Bible passages that will guide us in becoming disciples of Jesus and embracing the Kingdom Life he promises.

“The Twenty-third Psalm, for example, is an exquisite summary of life in the kingdom. The mind of the disciple should have it prominently displayed within, to always foster the joy and peace of the kingdom as well as to orient all of his or her actions within it. The Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, the Sermon on the Mount, Romans 8, Colossians 3, Philippians 2–4, and a few other passages of scripture should be frequently meditated on in depth, and much of them memorized. This is an essential part of any curriculum for Christlikeness. Positive engagement with these scriptures will bring kingdom order into our entire personality.”

Willard, Dallas. The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life In God (p. 396). Kindle Edition.

Over the past year we have looked at several of these powerful Kingdom passages, as we journey to Summer we will look at the rest with excitement and expectation as we seek to grow in kingdom living.

Romans 8

Use the Lectio guide this week and journey through this incredibly powerful passage allowing it to encourage and challenge you as you see how the Holy Spirit helps us to embrace our Kingdom Life.

(Some additional guidance)

Romans 8:1-4

What do these verses tell us about the foundational reality of Kingdom life?

Look at Romans 5:16-18

Through Jesus we are not condemned but we live according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:5-17

What do these verses tell us about our minds and desires?

Take a look at these verses and notice how the sinful nature and our desires often clash with the Spirit’s desires. They highlight two different paths: one where we follow our own will and another where we embrace the Kingdom of God. As we consider these lists of desires, remember that because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit within us, we can truly live the Kingdom life.

As you read verses 13-17, take a moment to feel encouraged that we are part of God’s family. Verse 16 reminds us that the Holy Spirit tells our spirits this wonderful truth: we are God’s children. Why do you think this is so important?

Romans 8:18-27

These next verses present us with the reality of Kingdom living in the light of eternity.

They point to our sufferings, waiting, weakness and the hope that is ours. We see here the importance of prayer, and when we don’t know what to pray for the Spirit intercedes for us. These verses are a source of comfort, giving us hope as we embrace the life of the Kingdom.

Romans 8:28-39

As we conclude this chapter, we encounter verses that inspire and challenge us, highlighting the incredible love of God and the assurance we have as members of His kingdom. Memorising Scripture is a vital practice for Jesus’ followers. Which verses resonate with you at this stage of your journey, and how do they assist you in embracing the Kingdom life? Take some time to memorise these verses.