What is the Kingdom of God?

The Jewish nation had long awaited the Day of the Lord. The time when God would establish final judgement upon individuals and nations, establish justice and redeem His people. The arrival of Jesus brought with it, the beginning of that truth.  What the nation failed to understand fully was that Jesus would have to take upon Himself the sins of the world to provide the way of salvation.  Despite Isaiah’s message pointing to that truth, they wanted Him to establish His Kingdom immediately.  Jesus began His ministry, “saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15).  Jesus speaks often of the Kingdom of God being at hand.  The Kingdom of God refers to God’s reign, which is both future and present.  As John Piper explains:

Since God’s purpose for the world is to save a people for himself and renew the world for that people, his kingly rule implies a saving and a redeeming activity on their behalf. This is why the coming of the kingdom in the New Testament is called good news.

 

In and through Jesus, God, the king, is coming in a way — a new way — into the world to establish his saving rule. First, in the hearts of his people and in their relationships by triumphing over sin, Satan, and death. Then by the exercise of his reign, gathering a people for himself in congregations that live as citizens of a new allegiance of the kingdom — not of this world. Then Christ comes a second time and completes the reign by establishing a new heaven and a new earth.[1]

The Kingdom of God is at Hand

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How to Live a Life of Grace as God’s Beloved

Anyone who has followed my posts or read my books know that I can look back over a lifetime as a Christian and see those moments when I failed God miserably.  Much like David and Peter, I could only wish my journey looked like Paul after his conversion, Daniel in exile, or Joseph; but, alas mine did not.  All too often, I made the wrong choices.  Did I not understand the depth of grace I had been given?  Did I fail to love God enough? Yet, out of all the broken pieces of my life, God wove together His portrait of who I would become.  Learning to live a life of grace, as God’s Beloved, Redeemed, Chosen Child took for me a lifetime.  My heart so longed to please Him. Yet, I did not know how until I came to the end of me.

Only when I came to the end of my own self, the pride that stood in the way, the desire to prove the worthiness of my salvation; could I learn how to sin less.  When I learned that there was nothing that my guilty hands could do to earn His pleasure, I also learned the depth of His grace toward me.  The more I understood of His love and grace toward me, the deeper my love for Him grew.  As that love grows, my heart is transformed so that I might see others through His eyes.  He has not finished with me yet. But, I know one day I will stand before His throne of Grace, washed in the precious blood of Jesus Christ and He will welcome me home.

Grace Out poured to God’s Beloved

One day I witnessed another believer face a harsher judgement for their sin  than I had ever faced for mine.  When I looked over the years of my life, their sin seemed minor compared to my own.  Society, including the church stood loudly to condemn them, never stopping to see their heart.  Yet, this dear Christian accepted God’s punishment as justly deserved.  Then, turned to point out every act of God’s Grace toward them amid the harsh punishment.  They saw each mercy with a clarity beyond what I could see, clinging to the truth that God is good and His plan is best.  That, my dear friends is a heart that is broken and contrite; a sacrifice God truly accepts.

It was then I wrote this poem for that dear Christian and for me.  This song is one that I hope inspires other Christians to consider the grace they have been given.  And for those of you who do not know Christ as your Savior, I bid you to come just as you are to the foot of the cross.

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

by Effie Darlene Barba

 

Accused, Condemned in eyes of men

Rejected, hated for my sin

No one stopped to see my heart

Cast aside some broken part

That no one cared to see inside

The scars and sorrows that abide

A heart so filled with hopes and dreams

Of meadows green and crystal streams

Lay shattered, broken cast away

With nothing good or kind to say

 

Chorus

Then God’s Dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

 

How quickly men’s own selfish pride

Does cast away and cast aside

A fallen one—a broken heart

Who needs your hand to help them start?

Christ had come to heal the lame

To lift their guilt and take their shame

He called the sinners to His side

To know His love-in Him abide

So why do we not give our hand

To help a fallen one to stand

So, prideful man with heart so small

Be careful lest you too shall fall

 

Chorus

For it was God’s dear Grace that loved me so

Looked deep within and bid to know

Each crevice of my heart and soul

Each broken piece to then make whole

In Christ I am set free from sin

My guilt and shame all taken in

And bore upon that rugged cross

My strength to stand though all else loss

My sins all covered by His blood

In Christ, I am God’s own Beloved

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

If, indeed; I fully comprehend the grace of God which saved me, then, I will be unable to judge my brother in Christ.  Instead, I will reach out a hand of love and grace to a fellow Christian.  Furthermore, I will reach out to a broken world to present the gospel of grace to all–no one is beyond the grace of God, if only, they would come to the cross, repent, and be saved.  Won’t you come today?

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.

OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?

If you have a prayer request email me by clicking here or comment here

JUST RELEASED

You can find this and all my books on Amazon.com, search Effie Darlene Barba or click this link to be taken there

Recently released Books Available

Abiding, Steadfast JoyABIDING, STEADFAST JOY

A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.

 

 

 


WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”

Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.

You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.

OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE

If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

How to Understand the Trinity and the Temptation of Christ

Looking one step deeper at the baptism of Jesus, we see represented the full Trinity of God-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Perhaps one of the hardest concepts to fully understand; yet, of ultimate importance, if we are to understand the temptation of Christ.  Once in writing about the Trinity in Ultimate Inspiration-God’s Plan of Love, I simplified this to help in our understanding of the Trinity being one God by taking a step back to creation.  Genesis 1:26 reads “And God said, ’Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. If then, we look at Genesis 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Thus, God created man: body, soul, and spirit: three distinct parts of one being.

This is certainly an oversimplification; yet, it helps a simple mind such as mine to understand. Beyond that, by creating men and women in His image; he further gave each of us the capacity to reason, to love, to experience joy, to envision glory, to desire Being, and much more.  To more deeply understand, the trinity I turn to Jonathan Edwards and urge you to read “An Unpublished Essay on the Trinity.”   God has always had a full understanding and view of His own image, the perfect echo of Himself-the only Begotten Son, whom He loves with a perfect love.  The Word of God, which became flesh (John 1:14).  This is the same word that spoke the creation into being.  The Holy Spirit is the outflowing of the perfect love, comfort and joy between the Father and the Son.

The Trinity and Love

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What was the Significance of Jesus Baptism?

John the Baptist, in fulfillment of Old Testament Scripture (Isaiah 40:3, Malachi 3:1); came as the messenger to prepare the way of the Messiah.  The Messiah, who would wash away the sins of the world, had arrived just as God promised. Therefore, God was fulfilling every promise made through His Old Testament Prophets.  God promised John that he would know Him by witnessing the Holy Spirit descending upon Him. (John 1:33). So, Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized.  John objected and forbade him to be baptized. (Matthew 3:14).  He knew that Jesus was perfect righteousness and did not need to repent and be baptized. Yet, Jesus told him, “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness” (Matthew 3:15).

Water Baptism cannot save; but, stands as a symbol to the world of what God has performed in the heart of the believer.  It is an outward expression of gratitude and dedication to God for what He has done.

Jesus during His ministry on earth also exemplified to all mankind the life that they should live; because of the salvation of Grace He came to purchase on their behalf.  He taught his followers how to pray, how to live among the hostilities of their day, and how to be a witness to others.  Jesus’ Baptism marked the beginning of His ministry to prepare His followers to be able to preach the Gospel message. He was teaching by example; because, He knew they would face great trials and hardship.  Soon enough, He would take upon His shoulders the sin of the world and pay the price for their sins.  For the moment, He was to teach His disciples how to live. Baptism symbolized the death, burial and resurrection He came to complete.

THE BAPTISM OF JESUS

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The Ministry of John the Baptist

Just as promised in Isaiah and Malachi, God sent a messenger to announce the arrival of the Lord.  400 years had passed since the last prophet Malachi.  Now God called forth John the Baptist to prepare the people to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord.  He began his prophetic ministry in the desert, where he humbly lived much like Elijah the prophet in the Old Testament. (Mark 1:6, 2 Kings 1:8).  He preached that all men should repent, confess their sins and be baptized as a symbol of their openly agreeing with God’s verdict that they were guilty before a Righteous, Holy God.  Repentance means more than merely acknowledging one’s sins, it is turning from one’s sins to seek the righteousness of God.

Prior to this time, the ritual of baptism was practiced among the Jewish nation only for those Gentiles who wanted to join the Jewish faith.  Now, John the Baptist was calling the Jews to confess their failure to follow God.  He wanted to prepare their hearts for the arrival of the Messiah who would provide a means of salvation for sinful man.  As John MacArthur points out: “That Jews would participate in such a rite was a startling admission that they, although members of God’s covenant people, needed to come to God through repentance and faith just as Gentiles did.”[1]  The law had already proven that no man was able to keep it.  All of the rituals failed to transform their hearts.  Even in the Old Testament, it required a heart of true repentance and faith in God to be save.

The Message of John the Baptist

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