The BRAIN Flow Journal

Kingdom Perspective

According to M.T. Wright, Christianity is not about dying and going to heaven, it is about living a life in this world that reflects those wonderful properties found in the heavens and bringing them to Earth. Kingdom theology within Christianity is about living out God’s plan for humanity here on Earth while reflecting Christ’s love and sacrifice. We as Christians are a part of the body of Christ, which includes all Christians from all denominations and every Christian church. While not all denominations agree on every part of scripture, every Christian who is filled with the Holy Spirit is on the same missionary journey set by God. We see this truth echoed in (Matthew 6:10) Thy kingdom come, the verse goes on to say that His mission will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven.

Although this is just one verse, if we look at the entirety of the “Good Book”, we see that throughout, God’s people act as a unit to succeed and when they stray from that path of comradery, tragedy ensues. In (Psalm 133) we read about how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. When we speak about the kingdom of God, we need to recognize that we are soldiers of God. Being soldiers of God means working together within the Kingdom of God to bring about real and long-lasting change. This is why the seeds we plant on Earth are so important as they will grow into trees and forests of faith by the time the return of Jesus is upon us. It is therefore imperative that we act as image bearers of Christ.

Image Bearers

We read in (Genesis 1) that God made man in His image. When we talk about being image bearers of Christ, we are talking not just about physical appearance, but about spiritual action. What makes kingdom theology special is that it is a living theology, and we are the living conduits of God’s love and action brought manifest in the here and now. So, while we may all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we all as Christians help to bring God’s glory and make it felt here on Earth. This is because God chooses not to complete His mission alone but instead to have a personal connection with His people by completing His objectives through us to bless all the families of the Earth. As image bearers, our calling is not only to reflect God’s glory but also to participate in His mission on Earth—spreading His love and transforming lives.

Mission

What is this mission being spoken of? One might say that God’s mission on Earth is multi-faceted. According to R.W. Stott, the mission is about world evangelization. Others, like Christopher J.H. Wright, believe it is about the process of sanctification and the hope for a redemption of all of mankind. I believe that both gentlemen are correct. Jesus tells us that we need to pick up our crosses and sacrifice what we can to the Father. It is up to each one of us to put aside that which we must and sacrifice for the glory of God. When we accept God’s mission as our mission, we also accept God’s grace upon us. (2 Corinthians 9:8) tells us that when God’s grace is upon us, we can abound in His good work.

With God at Our Side

It is important to remember that when we align our missions with God’s mission, we don’t just achieve God’s mission for mankind, we also complete God’s mission for us. God leads us down green pastures and lies us down beside still waters. He wants peace and fulfillment for us in our lives. This means that while the mission God lays out for us may be difficult or even treacherous, God protects us. He is our rod and our scepter and with Him at our side we need not fear devil nor man.

According to George Eldon Ladd, God’s good news is also a part of our missionary joy because our mission is about victory over Satan and victory over death. The redemptive work of the Holy Spirit within us brings about transformation and sanctification which allow us to help spread the grace that has been given to us. We should consider that God’s mission also involves healing brokenness—both personal and systemic. In a world fraught with injustice and division, God’s mission is the reconciliation of all things (Colossians 1:20), a work that starts in our own hearts and extends to the world around us.

Why It Matters

So, what is the point of this elaborate introduction? We live in a world that is wrestling with its own identity and while there had been a secular attack on the idea of deism for the past century, society is beginning to reawaken to the truth of the moral gap that dwells within man and our inability to bridge that gap without God, which was beautifully laid out by Kant, and of course, by Scripture.

While numerous groups try to use physics and biology to disprove God, you cannot describe what it means to be human by explaining our cellular makeup and physiological processes, nor can you explain God through similar lenses. The power of God is found in psychology, sociology, philosophy and culture, and in the spiritual heart of believers around the world who have experienced God in unique and personal ways.

As we enter a new revival of Christian faith, it is important to understand that the same old Christian approach will not work. People do not want to sit in stuffy buildings with redundant speeches on wrath and mercy. People want to experience the power of the Spirit in their own lives and live out the change that we read about in Scripture. People want transformation from the Spirit, and they want to engage in the work of creating miracles in the lives of others.

This leads us to the question: What should the re-contextualizing of Christianity look like in a diverse world that so badly needs Christ’s redemptive love?

The victory of Jesus Christ over His enemies and our subsequent salvation is about freeing the world from the subjugation of laws and reflecting the divine through a deep love for our fellow creatures. It is the final and last covenant with God, which allows each of us to understand and interact with God in our own ways while still understanding the importance of God’s Walk with man through history.

I believe that to approach Generation Z and those from prior generations who are turning toward God is to approach them with the historical and Biblical accounts of God’s acceptance and Grace. God did not look for perfect people to mold into leaders, He looked for broken people who were searching for hope, and He provided them with opportunities to change, grow, and become difference makers.

Compassion, understanding, acceptance, love, and authenticity. We who fight for Christianity and who fight for the well-being of humanity must not be above those we serve, we need to be with those we serve—leading through service and helping by suffering with those who suffer. In this revival, we must recognize the desire for experiential faith and an encounter with God, not just to hear about Him, but to feel Him. Revival in this context means that God’s Spirit will move across generations and cultures, propelling us into action.