Kingdom of God is NOT of THIS World!

By JB (Dallas, TX)

This is all well and good, but the kingdom of God is not of this world -- Jesus said that -- see John 18:36.

So, if we are focused on the Kingdom of God, then we should be focused on preparing people to go to heaven -- where the Kingdom is.

This is why Jesus was not involved in politics -- he was involved in saving souls eternally.

If Jesus had wanted God's kingdom to be on earth he would have overthrown the Romans -- right?

But, he didn't.

Trying to change government to make it more Godly is just not something Jesus was concerned about. Neither should we be.

What Other Visitors Have Said:

Kingdom IS Here -- at least partially - by Mo Johnson

Thanks for your post JB. But Jesus also said things like:

Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, 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 you.

Luke 17:20-21

Or,

The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.

Luke 16:16

I would say it is true the Kingdom is not "of" this world. It is not part of the selfish, sinful and foolish things of this world.

Theologins often call it a paradox or conundrum -- a "here and not yet" kingdom.

I say the kingdom of God is not "of" this world but is, at least to some degree, "in" this world. It is here in part, but not yet fully. The Kingdom of God is definitely not only a spiritual, other-worldly, place. If it was, then Jesus would not have prayed "Thy KINGDOM COME, thy will be done, ON EARTH, as it is in heaven."

This issue of the kingdom of God is crucial to how a Christian should live. I suggest we'd live differently, be different, if we really believed in the "here and now" part of the Kingdom.

And, yes, it's true Jesus did not solve all the political problems or overthrow Rome. I think much of this issue is already addressed in the article above. But, it's certainly true Jesus didn't end sickness and poverty or economic injustice.

Jesus also did not solve all the spiritual problems in the world either. Jesus provided "the Way;" set the example and leaves it up to us to decide whether we will follow him or not. We have free will and freedom of choice. We can choose to follow Jesus; apply his values to every part of our life and pursue "gospel" politics or we can choose not to.