Sunday – October 20, 2024, Tishrei 18, 5785
THE KINGDOM OF GOD – PART TWO
THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, AND JOY IN THE HOLY GHOST
Video link: https://youtu.be/V6jn-aaJxrI
Greetings dear and precious saints of God and welcome to another edition of The Three Minute Word and our ongoing study titled “The Kingdom of God”. The Lord has been dealing with me about this topic for some time, and so here we are. More recently I believe the Lord has brought more references and teaching about The Kingdom of God to my attention.
So, let’s dive into our topic. Let me mention that this will be a multi-month study for there are 163 references to the Kingdom in the New Testament. Contrary to what might be heard in many Churches Jesus primarily taught the Kingdom of God. In the Bible Book of Matthew, we see the term Kingdom of Heaven, don’t let that throw you off it is the same as the Kingdom of God. Our anchor Scripture is the following.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Yesterday I left off with the Words of Jesus telling us that the Kingdom of God was not primarily a place but was within the individual. The Apostle Paul by the unction of the Holy Spirit brought additional light telling us the Kingdom of God was righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Spirit). These words “righteousness, peace, and joy” are no doubt words with which most if not all Christians are familiar. Being familiar with them does not mean we understand them. For many it is Christian ease (something Christians say in Church and to each other). To be sure we are all on the same page, I will go ahead and review each of these spiritual Truths.
First, let’s deal with righteousness. Righteousness is translated from the Greek word dikaiosynē according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. The meaning is “the character or quality of being right or just;” it was formerly spelled “rightwiseness,” which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God, e.g., Rom. 3:5, the context of which shows that “the righteousness of God” means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness, that which is consistent with His own nature and promises according to Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. This word “rightwiseness” from the Vine’s is interesting for the word alone conveys the ideas of being right and being wise. That is right before and according to God and wise (Godly wisdom) according to the ways of God.
In the Church circles righteousness is perhaps most commonly referred to as right standing with God, the Father. While that is true it is far more than that. It you go to our website https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org/ and look under “Categories” you will find a five-part study of righteousness. Something that impressed me in that study was that we can be right with God but not right doing. Might that describe all of us to one degree or another. Anyone that has children will recognize this idea right away. You love your child, and they are a part of the family, but they may be doing many things wrong. Perhaps you have noticed but an idea that is inexorably intertwined with this idea of righteousness is justice or being just. This of course is closely associated with God and likewise we ourselves being no respecter of persons.
I will now give a list of words, ideas, that are a part of being righteous and righteousness. It is being right, justice, virtue (moral excellence according to the Word of God), prosperity, it is blameless conduct, innocence, holiness, integrity, right actions and right attitudes, being just with all, being lawful (natural and spiritual), and conformity to the will and nature of God. For the sake of space and time I have left a few out but it is my hope this has broadened you idea of being righteous and righteousness.
Until next time remember, the Lord is good, He is not the source of our problems, and He cannot lie! God loves you; we love you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
REMINDERS
Please take a moment before we continue with our study to share this teaching as widely as possible by every means available to you. Thank you for sharing.
If you find that this Ministry is helpful with your spiritual growth, give prayerful consideration to becoming a partner with this ministry.
Please remember that I have written several books, order one today at Amazon.com/books using this link https://t.ly/TcFpQ
and search Dr. David R. Wood.
CONTACT INFORMATION
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://threeminuteword.wordpress.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/people/David-Wood/100012265415677
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-r-wood-d-o-5ab7ba81/recent-activity/all/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PastorDavidWood
WEBSITE: https://www.awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
MY BOOKS: https://www.amazon.com/books (search – Dr. David R. Wood)
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/awakeariseandtriumphministries/
