The Kingdom of God.

Some say that the Kingdom of God is the Church and that membership of Church is membership of the Kingdom.

Others say that membership of the Kingdom id restricted to those who have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

But for far too long the Kingdom of God has been defined by who is excluded rather than who is included.

Jesus said: "'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near, repent, and believe the good news.'"  Mark 1:15 (NRSV)  

By this Jesus meant that the Kingdom of God was available to anyone.

And the Kingdom of God was characterized by the Beatitudes: Heaven, comfort, meekness, righteousness, mercy, love, peace, and endurance.

This is contrasted with the ways of the world which Jesus called evil.

So to enter the Kingdom of God we must accept God as King over us.

And this is Good News!

Because God is considerate.

God is good.

God is merciful.

God is forgiving.

God is compassionate.

God is generous.

God is reliable.

God is trustworthy.

God is faithful.

But most of all:

God is Love.

So love God and love your neighbor.

And enter the Kingdom of God.

[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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