Romans 14:13-23 (NASB) says, “13Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. 14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. 20Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the man who eats and gives offense. 21It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles. 22The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.”

In context with this scripture, there are some important verses to lay the foundation of what the kingdom of God is. According to Romans 14:1, we are to welcome every believer, even if they are weak or immature in the faith. We are to refuse to engage in debates with them in regards to anything that is more or less opinions rather than biblical truth. The examples Romans 14 give include which day to honor as the Sabbath and what kind of foods to eat or avoid eating. Paul said concerning food to “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind”, or, better yet, “follow your personal conviction” (Romans 14:5). Our primary focus should be to glorify God in everything that we do, including what we eat and drink and how we worship! We are not to belittle or pass judgment based off of our personal convictions, which involve in most cases how we interpret the Bible, because God is the ultimate judge. We have no authority to judge someone’s heart! So, the kingdom of God is not a courthouse where you are the judge, or is it about looking down on someone else. It is about serving others by showing them the love of God! The kingdom of God is about loving one another, and instead of focusing on how someone else offends us, how about we focus on “what can I do to keep from offending someone else?”

 

Here are some biblical truths about the kingdom of God:

 

1) The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. By denying the existence of the Holy Spirit, you are robbing yourself of true, authentic righteousness, peace and joy! Too many try to find these things outside of the Holy Ghost, and it will leave you unfulfilled and void. Righteousness outside of the Holy Spirit is religion, trying to find a way to get to God rather than beholding the beauty of Jesus and allowing His holiness to consume your life! Peace outside of the Holy Spirit is materialism, whereas true peace and prosperity is resting in God and His promises! Joy outside of the Holy Spirit is happiness when everything goes good, but joy in the Holy Ghost is delighting in His presence, causing you to laugh when faced with persecution!

 

2) The kingdom of God begins with a seed. (Mark 4:26-32). Jesus was that seed sown into the earth, dying in order to provide life to all of those who are willing to believe and surrender their lives to Him! As a result, we boldly preach the same message as the disciples when they said, “The kingdom of God has come near you” (Luke 10:9, 11). Tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before the Pharisees because they received the seed of God’s Word from those who prepare the way of the LORD and responded with repentance (Matthew 21:31-32). The seed has to die, killing our flesh in order to produce fruit, bringing forth the newness of life and revelation!

3) The kingdom of God is childlike wonder, meaning just as a child is laser focused on his or her passions, mesmerized by their heroes, so should we be concerning Jesus Christ! We must humble ourselves, receive a child and receive the kingdom as a child if we want to enter into the kingdom of God (Matthew 10:14-15).

 

4) The only way to enter into the kingdom of God is to be born again (John 3:3, 5). The reason is because the kingdom of God is inherited, meaning it is passed down from your heavenly Father (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). However, lust will keep you from entering the kingdom of God (Mark 9:47).

 

5) The kingdom of God is not demonstrated in word but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20). Casting out devils is a sign that the kingdom of God has come near us (Matthew 12:28). The disciples could proclaim this message as they healed the sick and worked miracles (Luke 10:9)!

 

6) The kingdom of God is the true revelation of Jesus Christ! Therefore, the better question is not, “What is the kingdom of God”, but rather, “Who is the kingdom of God?”! In Luke 9:27-36, Peter, James and John would not taste death until they seen the kingdom of God, which was fulfilled when they witnessed Jesus being transfigured before them.

 

7) “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The TPT version says, “So above all, constantly chase after the realm of God’s kingdom[ and the righteousness that proceeds from him. Then all these less important things will be given to you abundantly.” Since the kingdom of God is “righteousness in the Holy Ghost”, then we are called to seek for this righteousness! This is in context in scripture in not being anxious or worrisome over the provision of your daily needs! Those daily concerns or needs, such as food and clothing, are promised to us abundantly because they are not our main priority. In fact, Jesus is the only one, and as a result, we will not make idols out of the things God blesses us with!

 

8) The Kingdom is within you (Luke 17:20-21). When you realize the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives on the inside of you, you no longer diminish or devalue what you are carrying because it is more than being anointed to do certain things, but you carry an entire kingdom within you, the very personality, character and identity of Jesus. Just as the King of the universe rules and reigns in the kingdom of heaven, you rule your body as a king!

 

9) Many are so totally focused on looking for a future kingdom that they fail to operate in the kingdom authority they have been given now. How can look towards heaven with anticipation of the second coming of Christ if we are failing to steward the glory encountered and revealed from His first coming? In Acts 1:3-8, the disciples and early church had the revelation of the restoration of the kingdom of Israel through the return of the LORD, but their focus was to receive the infilling and baptism of the Holy Spirit so they could carry and execute the kingdom of God on earth! Revelation 12:10-11 says, “10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” When the kingdom of God shows up, the accuser is cast down as we walk in victory through the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony.