I love what a friend of mine shared with me a few weeks ago as we discussed what exactly it was that Jesus meant when He spoke of His kingdom. Check out the words of French Emporer Napoleon Bonaparte concerning the uniqueness of this kingdom:
“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Ceasar, Charlemagne, and I have found empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”
“I know men; and I tell you that Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between Him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Ceasar, Charlemagne, and I have found empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force! Jesus Christ founded His empire upon love; and at this hour millions of men would die for Him.”
Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within (or among) you.” (Luke 17:20-21, NIV)
This kingdom was and is a movement of love, and it’s a movement that continues today as God’s kingdom advances through human hearts. That is a key value and desire of the church-movement we are planting, a church that “awakens” the human heart to the reality of God’s presence and His kingdom here on earth through love.
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A Contemplative Life 