A Moment to Consider

Do you belong to the Kingdom of God? If someone were to ask you what the Kingdom of God is all about where would you begin your answer? As I was wondering what I could share in this column that would be of service to its' readers I began to think of all the different forms of religion and Christianity that are made available to us today. I thought of how the media inundates us with the "who is who," and what they have to say about their theology. This forum is often times followed by the counter points of adverse scholars. There is so much information from so many points of view I wonder if people are confused and becoming apathetic toward God's offer of life. I wonder at times if these media religionists want their viewers to connect with them or with God? In order for you and me to belong to the Kingdom of God; in order for us to possess knowledge of God's Kingdom we must be connected with Him through personal experience. If you would like to be personally connected with God then allow me to share a few things with you that will help to illuminate the way.

It is important to establish which god we are speaking of since there are so many out there. I am speaking of He who created the heavens and the earth; He who brought into existence that which did not previously exist, through the power of His Word. We are speaking of the God who saw all that He created was good; then He created man in His own image. There is a supernatural god whose kingdom is based in the present world order. He opposes all of the Creator's ways and has limited power to bind the hearts and minds of men to all kinds of philosophies, religions and governments. His social forms are rooted in greed and in the ways of benefiting from selfish ambition. Have you been feeling the presence of this kingdom around you lately? Have you ever wondered, if God created man in His own image, then why is there so much contention, bloodshed, and sickness in the world? Why don't we see God's image in man?

Consider whether you can or can not see the image of God in yourself?

If you answer no or that you don't know, then the god of this world has cast his shadow upon you. You can be free from this dark and supernatural influence today. A great light from another kingdom is shining in the darkness. The Creator has come to His creation with power to redeem all who choose to leave the darkness, and come into the light of the government of His Kingdom. Jesus the Messiah has come to save His people. Today God has given you an opportunity to leave the philosophies, religions, and governments of this world order behind. He has granted you an opportunity to experience a personal union or connection with Him, and to experience the presence and power of His Kingdom around and within you.

What must you do to enter the Kingdom of God? What must you do to personally know your Savior and Creator? In a word you must believe; believe that Jesus came to liberate you from the binding influence of darkness; believe that you need a Savior to make this exodus from darkness to the light of God's Kingdom. It is through your belief and God's grace that a wonderful transformation begins. Sight will be restored to your eyes, and you will see God's image in you, then you will begin to see His image in others. These personal experiences are beams of assurance from God that shine within you affirming that you are walking in His Kingdom on earth.

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's 'favor.'" (Luke 4:18, 19)

Rev. Brian Aho is the pastor at Prayer and New Covenant Ministries in Ashburnham. He is one of the local worship leaders whose columns appear on a rotating basis in the new "A Simple Word" series.