For many years I have asked hundreds of believers to tell me what the gospel is. I get all kinds of answers from the cross, to Jesus, to the resurrection, to the bible. They usually hem and haw, and nobody really answers the same, even from the same church. Then I ask them to tell me what the gospel is that Jesus taught. They hem and haw and repeat the same thing or are stumped almost every time I ask someone. The word of God is clear on what the Gospel is that Jesus taught. Jesus said the gospel is the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, and it is here, now, at hand, within, and yet. Jesus said that He must go to other cities to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and that is why He is sent (Luke 4:43).
The Kingdom of God is here because, well, the Lord said it is (Luke 17:21).
The Kingdom of God is now because, well, the Lord said it is (Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20).
The Kingdom of God is at hand because, well, the Lord said it is (Mark 1:15, Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Matthew 10:7).
The Kingdom of God is within because, well, the Lord said it is (Luke 17:21).
The Kingdom of God is yet because, well, the Lord said it will be (Luke 19: 11-12, Revelation).
If we are operating in the Kingdom of God, what are we to be doing? Well, this is clear in the scriptures also. We are to occupy, be ambassadors for Christ representing the Kingdom of God, be ministers of reconciliation, watch, pray, love one another, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, cast out demons, visit prisoners, take care of widows and orphans, and all of the other one another’s of the New Covenant. According to Matthew 25, the only question we are going to be asked is whether we did this to the least of those. That is why the Apostle John says that our commandments are that we must believe that Jesus is the Son of God and love one another (1 John 3:23).
If Jesus came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, we ought to be knowing that we are in the Kingdom of God. So many believers are hearers of the word and not doers of the word because they do not know that they are working in the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is not in word, but in power, dynamic power as representatives of the King of Kings. As representatives, we serve as ambassadors for Christ and ministers of reconciliation, reminding others that they have been restored to God.
Jesus said to seek first the Kingdom of God. Why would Jesus tell you to seek the Kingdom of God if it is not here? And why would you seek something if it wasn’t here? That would be a waste of time. Jesus said to seek first the Kingdom of God because He brought it to us and it is here, now, at hand, within, and future.
Jesus said that one must be born again to see the Kingdom of Heaven. Yes, you must be born again to see the Kingdom of God. You cannot see it around you if you are not born again. Many people do not see that our relationship with God has been reconciled and restored and that we are operating in the Kingdom of God. My vision and mission and each and every day is much easier because I am in the Kingdom of God. If you do not see this, ask the Lord to show you. Pray that God will open your eyes of understanding. The Apostle John says that we have the seed of God in us and that we are the children of God, sons and daughters of the Most High (1 John). We need to walk in this confidence and boldness, know that we are cleansed to function in the Kingdom of God, and know that we are able to stand in the Day of Judgment.