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“for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,

but righteous and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

[Romans 14:17]

 

    As I awoke my bedside clock read 6:33. Instinctively my mind shifted to one of my bedrock verses: Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

 

    That led me to ask myself, “What is the Kingdom of God?” Well of course this is where our Lord took us during the Beatitudes. Righteousness, peace and joy stem from Matthew’s recounting Jesus’ resolution for the “Do Not Worry” portion of His guidelines.

 

    Drilling down I contemplated “righteousness.” Righteousness is right standing. More than a thought, this points to a location. We stand in the authority, power, and might of the Almighty One. Standing speaks of the place we are given by a Holy God.

 

    When we have right standing, we are standing in the center of God’s will for our life. There is no better place to be.

 

    Recounting His Day of Resurrection I pay homage to the One who gives me life; The One who restores me from my sin; The One who leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

 

    The sinless Firstfruit of Righteousness laid down His life. His work finished. His victory mine. His death paid my ransom. His freedom forsaken to atone for my failures.

 

    Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! [1 John 3:1]

 

    God has placed me right next to Himself. In this place He revealed His purpose through the life, death, and resurrection of His only begotten Son. He placed His Holy Spirit within me. There is no longer any separation between my Abba Father and me.

 

    Here is the place we seek. Here is His righteousness. Here in His Presence is His peace. Here is joy unspeakable and full of glory. Here He deposits His glory within you and me. Here He instructs us to do the same. Here is the Kingdom of God.