God is a giver – Part 5

Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom,” (Luke 12:32).

Once more, in the passage above, we see the nature of our God on display. He is a consummate giver, willing to give us the kingdom. It shows his generosity towards his creatures. Luke 12:32 is a verse about what makes God glad — not merely about what God will do or what he has to do, but what he delights to do, what he loves to do and takes pleasure in doing.

Come to think of it, why would God delight to give us the kingdom? Why and for what purpose? When the Scripture says that God has given us all things that pertain to “life and godliness,” that includes the kingdom. Therefore, we don’t have to live in worry and anxiety about daily problems that preoccupy the minds of people.

The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is God’s kingly rule — His reign, His action, His Lordship, His sovereign governance. Spiritually, the kingdom of God is the rule of the King in the hearts and lives of those who willingly submit to His authority. Those who refuse to acknowledge God’s authority and refuse to submit to Him are not part of the kingdom of God, while those who acknowledge the lordship of Christ and willingly surrender to God’s rule in their hearts are part of the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God has present and future aspects. God has made us part of His kingly domain.

In Christ, God has already given us that kingdom, which is characterised by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, and has undertaken to protect and save us to the uttermost, therefore we need not fear of our future inheritance.

Both now and in the future, Jesus has made us partakers of His kingdom. Those who express their faith in Jesus are made to inherit the kingdom. And to them, the keys of the kingdom are given (John 3:3-5; Matthew 16:19).

Those who belong to the kingdom are given kingdom authority and power. When Jesus sent out His disciples he gave to them the power and authority of the kingdom over demons, and over sicknesses. He commanded them to preach the gospel of the kingdom. “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” (Luke 9:1-2 NKJV).‬

Then, the disciples returned with joy, rejoicing at their accomplishments, that the demons were subject to them. “ ‘Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it.” (Luke 10:23-24 NKJV).

In future, He will give us a place in his kingdom. Matthew 25:34 says that victorious saints would be made to inherit a kingdom. “Then the king will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”

Therefore, the kingdom for us means a new way of living under the rule of King Jesus in our hearts, sharing in his power and authority and working to make the kingdom known here on earth. This is what Christ has given us. Contact:pastoracukachi@gmail.com