The Kingdom Is About People

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [Romans 14.17]

It has been amazing to me how I have taken notice of "the Kingdom of God" in my daily reading of the Bible. I believe there is much to be learned about the Kingdom if we will just pay attention! I furthermore believe that this attentiveness to the Kingdom will be beneficial to our daily walk with the LORD - there is much to be said for "seeking first the Kingdom of God..."

The distinction Paul makes to the Roman church about the Kingdom of God is worth considering. The context of this passage in the midst of a dialog about what foods believers can or cannot eat - in other words, about rules. Paul redirects his readers attention to the necessity of not focusing on those rules, but instead focusing on goodness and peace and joy in the Spirit.

I may be taking too much liberty here, but it seems to me that 'rules' about what to eat or not to eat are more for personal gratification - for self - where "living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" is about others. This is consistent with Paul's encouragement to consider others in everything we do... In other words, it's not about eating or not eating any particular food because of God, but because of others!

In a nutshell conclusion, it could be interpreted once again that the Kingdom is about people!

Father, in following the progression of the early church and writings to the various groups by various authors, help me not lose sight of the Kingdom!