THE SUBJECT of the kingdom of God is far from being an unimportant one. Some people may be disposed to regard it as simply of speculative interest: something that may be interesting to be known and to be thought about, but nothing of any vital consequence. If, however, we allow ourselves to be guided by the Scriptures in the matter, we must come to the conclusion that it stands in a very different position from this; that it is one of the subjects that ought to have our very first attention; that it is a subject which stands in the very forefront of New Testament subjects, and that it is impossible to be a Christian, in the New Testament sense, without understanding and believing it. The evidence of this is a Statement by Christ himself: ‘Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness’.(Matthew 6.33)
The message that is called The Gospel is about salvation. To share in the kingdom of God is the hope that it holds out to dying man; Jesus Christ is the only way to this salvation. By baptism into Jesus Christ, the believer in the gospel is released from all past sins. He is now ‘in Christ’, one of Abraham’s descendants. This is his new relationship. In striving to be as Christ was, a baptised person is ‘dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ.’ By the extent to which he achieves this ideal will he merit the reward, the hope shared by Abraham: God’s gift of eternal life in the kingdom of God.
Hear Now These Words 