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Reading - The Kingdom comes with Power (Mark 9:1)
The kingdom of God is not an organisation. It is not a geographical location. Nor is it a collection of churches into a denomination or sect. It does not revolve around a human leader or a set of precepts and rules - remember Colossians 2:20-22:
"Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to it's rules: 'Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!' These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings."
According to the words of Jesus, "The kingdom of God come[s] with power". It is the power of God in our lives. In Exodus we read:
"When the people saw the thunder and lightening and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, 'Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.' Moses said to the people, 'Do not be afraid God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.' The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was." (Exodus 20:18-21)
Here is the test of faith and discipleship. Are we willing to have God powerfully work in our lives? Or are we happy to allow a human intermediary to speak to God for us and for God to us? The writer to the Hebrews urged:
"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened to us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful." (Hebrews 10:19-23)
This access, made for us through Christ (1 Tim.2:5), makes available to us the power of God, and the promises to those who believe are truly wonderful. Perhaps one of the most amazing expressions of God's promise to those who draw near is found in Romans:
"…those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness [will] reign in life through the one man, Christ Jesus." (Romans 5:17)
The kingdom of God, then, is the power of God working in the lives of believers as we approach, with confidence, the throne of grace.
Of course, the objection may be raised that this way lies chaos since each could be lord of his own life and simply call it God's leading. Surely we need leaders to help us and correct us? Again in Hebrews we read that, in light of this wonderful access spoken of above, we should, "consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds". So there is need for leadership by mature Christians called to disciple and encourage, as well as the encouragement we give each other. Shouldn't there, then, be a prophet to give us clear leading in these things, as did Moses? The trouble with that way of thinking is that each could follow a prophet of his own choosing and call it faithful discipleship. We could say, as did Israel, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die."
But God invites each to approach his throne, "by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened to us through the curtain, that is, his body". It is the responsibility of each one to "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) This is the kingdom and the power of God, not mediated by men but moving in men and women by the power of his Spirit in the lives of all who believe.