The Holy Spirit – Day 21

Today Paul puts into perspective what the kingdom of God really is: a state of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The focus is on the things of the Spirit which bring life and joy and free us to enjoy abundant life. It is not on the physical. The Holy Spirit enables us to live in a way that is pleasing to God, and one that will also be approved by others.

Sometime people mistake the kingdom of God for something physical: rules about eating and drinking which create bickering and judgment. Thinking like this hinders us as it did the people in Jesus’ time. They were looking for the coming of a physical kingdom and did not understand the teaching of Jesus that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21) — something that begins on earth and is enjoyed in the Spirit.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus taught: “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to (you) as well.” Our first priority is spiritual: God will provide for our physical needs, when we make Him top priority. Personally, I am amazed and filled with joy when I look back at the many ways that God has provided for me in my life, sometimes without a conscious prayer having been made!

We are forgiven and cleansed by the blood of Christ and we live in the power of the Holy Spirit, so we have everything to be joyful about! We can take anything that makes us fearful, discouraged or depressed to the LORD, leave it with Him, and allow the Spirit to lead us further into what is right for us. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ … And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

What a celebration of the Holy Spirit it has been over this past month as we have explored His dynamic power permeating the pages of both the Old and New Testaments, and as we have discovered His ministry present in and through the work of God the Father and the LORD Jesus Christ, bringing joy and life as He witnesses to God’s love and mercy through the Son.

May this knowledge heighten our awareness of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and inspire us to live boldly for Christ in His strength and power every day.