In Romans 14:17 the apostle Paul defines the nature of God's kingdom and by implication what God is like and what God likes. He says “the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the holy spirit”, what does that mean to us? Paul’s audience had much in common with people today. In our time people define religion in terms of minute detailed scruples of behavior; what they eat or don’t eat, what they wear or don’t wear, what they drink or don’t drink, whether one should worship on Saturday or Sunday, etc.

God is Not Religious

We missed the boat entirely when we think that we will bring joy to the heart of the living God through trivialities of custom and convention personal idiosyncrasies, in short; bells, smells, incense and nonsense. In a burst of impatience Paul defines the nature of the kingdom of God “For the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”. Let’s take them one at a time

I. The Kingdom of God is Righteousness.

The reign of God within us means a life put right. A life untangled by Jesus and given meaning direction and value. Under God's rule a life is sorted out and put right.

II. The Kingdom of God is Peace.

The reign of God within us means a life at rest. Christ’s kingdom rule provides rest for the burdened mind, the tense spirit, the broken heart, the strained nerves and the anxious soul. In Christ the heart finds rest from itself from the endless striving to keep up with others, from disappointments and regrets, from nagging remorse and inner guilt.

III. The Kingdom of God is Joy in the Holy Spirit.

The reign of God within also means a life made radiant. Jesus taught that to stumble upon God's kingdom was like stumbling upon great treasure. It is like finding a fortune that you can keep, it is like exploring a great bizarre and finding the costliest gem in all the world.

In short, life under God's rule is a glad experience. No God is not religious. He is never dull, cold or boring. The kingdom of God is not found in trivialities of performance or human effort. It is found in what Jesus does for us when we open our hearts to Him. It is a life put right, a life at rest, a life made radiant. As the summer season approaches let's enjoy the new life God longs for us to have and let’s remember that God is a person and not a ceremony. God is not religious nor should you be.

Blessings,

Pastor Craig