I just typed out a long message to a friend on Facebook having to do with these two topics. It was so long that I thought I should use it as much as I can, just to save on typing time. So, here is an exact replica of what I typed. Sorry if I didn't contextualize it for a proper blog post, but I didn't feel like it. You'll get the idea...
Well, if nothing else, I can tell that you've got a lot on your mind based on how much you've written. And it's definitely bothering you a lot! That's good! Truth be told, the sorts of topics you are struggling through are common battles for Christians, especially in this culture. That has been my experience, at least. You've made a lot of progress into the internal debate and wrestling with these topics, I can tell. As for what I may share with you as pertains to this topic, I hope you explore what I say in Scriptures and pray about it. I don't pretend to have all the answers, and I'm still in process as well, especially in regards to how useful I am to God.
So, first, I'm glad that you are able to see that doing a lot of stuff for God does not mean you are a good Christian. There are plenty of people who work in the church and do plenty of "work" for God that are mean, nasty, not nice people. Having spent time in ministry yourself, I'm sure you've met at least one, probably more, of those people. If you haven't, then consider yourself warned. A lot of people acknowledge that being a good Christian isn't measured by how much you do. Most people don't take the next step. To see that there is something wrong in how the modern American church measures spiritual health means nothing if you don't do something about it! And by doing something about it, I mean, acknowledging and addressing the issue in your own life. Ask yourself, "what does it mean to be a 'good' Christian?" What qualifies? What is the true measure of spiritual maturity or spiritual growth? We know that it's not the doing of stuff. So, what is it?
On a deeper level, ask yourself the question: who the hell cares? Why is being a good Christian important to you? Or maybe, why is being SEEN as a good Christian important to you? Who or what is it in your life that can tell you that you're a good Christian or not? That person, that entity is the person or entity to whom you have given power and to whom you are submitting. Maybe it's God, which again begs the question: what is real spiritual maturity? How does God view your spiritual development? And why do you think He views it that way?
To address the concern about advancing the Kingdom of God, we have to first answer the question: what is the Kingdom of God anyways? It's a term that we throw around pretty freely in the Christian community, and if I am not mistaken, we operate with the unspoken definition of the Kingdom of God as meaning, "the number of people who believe in Jesus." So, is that it? If so, then the only way to really advance the Kingdom of God is to get other people to pray a specific prayer or believe Jesus died for them so that they won't go to hell when they die. The generally accepted definition of the Kingdom of God revolves around a solitary moment in people's lives when they pray a certain prayer that some pastor or speaker or friend is telling them to pray. What about the rest of a person's life? What about everything that a person may or may not do after that prayer in their life? Does the Kingdom of God not have to do with that, too? I hope so. Otherwise, we're wasting our time trying to be "good," and we should just do whatever we want.
God is concerned with more than just how people He's going to let into heaven when they die or when He just wipes away the world. He's concerned with the whole life of a person. He's concerned with your whole life! Allow me to submit to you a new definition for the Kingdom of God, which is the realm of existence in which God's explicit will and desires are fulfilled, followed, adhered to. The truth is, your heart is of critical importance to God's Kingdom. Could it be true that perhaps His Kingdom is still advancing, but not in the outward and visible way we like? Maybe God's Kingdom is advancing deeper into your heart and life, an entirely more difficult and uncomfortable process altogether.
So, with all that said, my only advice to you is this: do not rush to leave this portion of your life, because it is of value. Take a deep, spiritual breath, and begin the difficult process of learning to listen and wait on God. He will reveal all things to you in due time, and it will be worth it when He does.
Obviously, I am passionate about this particular topic. These are things that I've given a lot of thought to. I hope they help. If not, just throw these thoughts out and ask another question. Thanks for reading!
Ryan
2 comments:
Wow.
Well praise God. Its amazing how we fail to realize that Jesus is in control of the earth even right now. Where do we find in the scripture that Christ has "leased" the earth out to the devil.
Rom 14:17 The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Bless God it is a spiritual kingdom. As you mentioned we get caught up in religion and start to focus on how our works will get us in right standing with Christ. Fortunately, for those of us who are saved, we are in right standing with Christ because he is righteous so are we!!! It is so sad that just as the religious bunch in the old convenant times did not grasp what Jesus was trying to tell them. See, they were looking for a king to take them out from under Roman rule and establish their kingdom. The completely missed the spiritual implications of Jesus who was the Christ/Messiah/King that they were searching for.
Hah! You are so right. Christ's kingdom is advancing into our hearts and lives until we are an exact reflection of the King! It is an everlasting kingdom and he has been reigning forever. Who are we to limit Jesus and say that he will not be crowned till we "get" there. Oh Lord, he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords if I was alive or not.
You are on to something. Ryan Castillo and I pray that the Holy Spirit gives you an even deeper revelation of Jesus, his finished work on the cross, and his kingdom! Hallelujah! Man, oh man, why do we look for things to happen that happened 2,000 years ago. Luke 17:20-22 says that the kingdom of God does not come with observation (3907 in your concordance| which is a greek word Parateresis meaning watching or observed with the eyes) but it is within us. So as you mentioned the kingdom is advancing deep in our hearts Christ tells us that the kingdom is in us. Hey, he was telling this to some old convenant, law minded people 2,000 years ago. Imagine what we have in him today. Good blog and good post.
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