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A theme that is closely aligned with the concept of eternal life is the kingdom of God, or the kingdom of heaven.  In week 2 I defined the kingdom of God as the range of his effective will, where what he wants done is done.  Wherever people or creation are living according to his will, his love, his truth, his peace, his justice, his righteousness, there you find God’s kingdom.  Of course, because of the free will He has given us, there are many places and people in this world who don’t live or operate according to God’s intention.  This is why Jesus prayed “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  This is crucial – wherever the followers of Jesus bring light into the darkness, they are bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth.  Wherever we bring justice where there is injustice, whenever someone experiences the forgiveness of God, wherever there is healing from disease, reconciliation – there the kingdom of God is coming to earth.  You have to understand this, because it is crucial to the life you were meant to live, and what it means to follow Jesus.  It is bringing the transformative kingdom of God to earth, thus signifying to the world the way God intends for it to be and the way it will be one day.  It is a sign – this is what it is like with God as Lord – and a wonder – it fills you with wonder at what is possible with God.  Your role as a follower of Jesus is to live in such a way that you bring the kingdom of God to earth, that through your life you bring the healing, the forgiveness, the love, the peace, and the justice of God to this world – in little ways and in big ways. 

When Jesus came on the scene, he said “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” – to repent is to turn from your way of living and thinking, from your sin, and become part of the kingdom of heaven.  To stop being part of the problem and become part of the solution.  Wherever we go, we bring need to bring the kingdom of heaven, and call people to turn from their sins, from living for themselves, and become part of the revolution of God, the kingdom of God.  Are you beginning to get this?  It’s powerful stuff if you really grasp it.