Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:14-15 ESV).
Yesterday I wrote about being “in the light.” If the statistics are correct, we have not been especially good at that. According to a the most recent Barna Group study of spirituality, 72 percent of people in the United States call themselves Christians, but only 31 percent practice their faith. This research also revealed that only 35 percent of believing Christians go to church more than twice a month. And although 75 percent say they pray, only 19 percent read their Bible. Looking at these statistics, we might not think the kingdom of God is near. In fact, there can be times when it seems rather far away. When Jesus says, “The kingdom of God has come near,” what does he mean?
It’s less of a place and more of a presence and a way of life. The rule and reign of Christ is around us and in us. Jesus wants us to know that God’s authority and power will not be denied. It can be found in all followers of Jesus. As kings, we carry out God’s kingdom purposes in our worship, service, and obedient living.
Through Christ, you and I can live today in the kingdom of God, although the ways of darkness and sin and the devil still influence this world. When we seek God’s agenda for our lives, when we live for his purposes and glory, we are kings and queens reigning with Christ. Don’t let the devil and his lies have any place in your life. God’s kingdom is near, and God wants to work in us and through us to bring goodness and light into this world.
Lent is the perfect time to be reminded of our opportunity to confess our sin and turn toward the Light of Jesus. It is never an easy task to make new habits, but the first step in the process is always an acknowledgement of our need to make changes. These changes can be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us. We are in the light, now we can also behave light that.