We have been examining the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) and looking at its significance. As stated in an earlier issue, I remember as a boy praying this prayer consistently only realizing years later when I became a born-again Christian just how profound this prayer model that Jesus gave us to follow was. While we do not have to pray this exactly the way that it is shown to us, it is a pure model given to us on how to pray and approach God. That prayer model is the following:
Matthew 6:9-13 – KJV – “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen”.
We covered two aspects of verse 9 and now let’s look at verse 10 which is “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”. Let’s start with understanding what the word “Kingdom” means, primarily as it relates to God’s Kingdom. The Biblical definition of the word Kingdom is the Greek word “basileia”, which means the realm or territory of a king, but most importantly in the New Testament it means the sovereign rule of God in the hearts of true believers. While we know and believe that there will be a Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ to set up His physical rule and rein on the earth as our ultimate King at some point in the future (no one knows the day of the hour – Matthew 24:36), and a Kingdom that will last for eternity, in this present age, are we sure that He has established His Kingdom in our hearts? Scripture says this:
Luke 17:20-21 – NKJV – Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”
How is the Kingdom of God within us, or as some other translations, like the NIV and the NLT say, “among you”? First, God must establish His Kingdom within our hearts. Remember what Jesus said when talking to Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee concerning how to enter into the Kingdom of God.
John 3:3-6 – NIV – Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely, they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born! “Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
Jesus told Nicodemus that no would be able to see (perceive) the Kingdom of God nor be able to enter into the Kingdom without being born-again. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, submitting yourself to Him and have a genuine “born-again” experience, your sins forgiven, you then come under the rule of a different Kingdom.
Colossians 1:13 – NLT – For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son
While we are still in this world, we are not of this world’s system (John 17:14-16; Romans 12:2). We now come under the rule of God by obeying the Scriptures and submitting to the Holy Spirit. By doing this, the Kingdom of God will be established in our hearts. Scriptures says this:
Romans 14:17 – NIV – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Yes, there will be an earthly, physical Kingdom established when Jesus makes His glorious return sometime in the future. But is the Kingdom of God being established in your hearts now? Are you enjoying a righteousness that comes from God alone and not from our own goodness (2 Corinthians 5:21)? Do you have the peace of God that passes all understanding when we face crisis and issues in our lives (Philippians 4:6-7)? Do you sense the joy of the Lord, not just “happy thoughts” when things are tough in life or if things are not so tough (1 Peter 1:8)? These are all things that must develop in our lives as Christians if we want the Kingdom of God to first be established in our hearts. Jesus said it best:
Matthew 6:33 – NKJV – But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
It means that as believers, we have to prioritize God’s rule in our lives, seeking His will above the concerns of this world’s system and making His Kingdom first in our lives, pursuing His rule over us through prayer, His Word and obedience. By this, the Kingdom of God will begin to be established in your hearts and you will begin to grow and mature in your relationship with Him. So, let us be encouraged to do periodic examining of our walks with God, not in judgement or condemnation, but in the grace provided by the Lord, knowing that He loves us.
2 Corinthians 13:5 – Amplified Classic – Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?
God Bless!
