Carriers of the Kingdom
By Susan Klein
“The kingdom of God does not come
visibly, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the
kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17: 20b-21 (NIV)
A few years ago, a
friend of mine held a huge family reunion. This was an extraordinary
undertaking since it was critical for every family member, immediate and
extended, to be present. Besides celebrating all the family in one place, they
had another purpose for total inclusion. Members of the World Health
Organization (WHO) were coming to the reunion to test every family member to
determine who was a genetic carrier of Parkinson’s disease. Knowing it had
already surfaced in some, it was a prime opportunity for the WHO to test all
members from one family and do some genetic tracking. After testing was
completed, each had the option of learning if they were carriers or not. Not
all tested desired to know the outcome.
If you could find
out you were a genetic carrier of a disease, would you want to know? Would it,
perhaps, change the way you lived? Maybe you wouldn’t have children. Maybe
you’d make plans for the future in the event the disease manifested itself in
your body. Or, would you just keep living the same as always, with the
uncertainty of knowing?
Recently, our church
hosted a guest speaker who spoke about this “carrier” concept, but in a
spiritual context. In Luke chapter 17, Jesus addressed the Pharisees’ question
of when the kingdom of God would come. Jesus’ answer to them in the above verse
essentially conveys that we (those of us who are Christ-followers) are carriers
of the kingdom. If He dwells in us, His kingdom is in us, and we are His hosts,
or ambassadors. Knowing and believing this concept should have a critical
impact on the Christ-follower’s life choices.
If we are true carriers,
what will we do? Will it change the way we live, or will we just keep living the
same as we always have? Unlike an unwanted disease, we have acquired a very
precious gift, and we need not keep it to ourselves. God is making His appeal
to the nations through us. He intends for us to spread His kingdom to the whole
world!
Do you know for sure
if you are a kingdom carrier? If you
are, how are you living in response to knowing this? If you’re uncertain, would
you like to know for sure?
GOING DEEPER:
1. If you are a “carrier,” spread abundantly!
2. If you are uncertain whether you are
a Christ-follower/kingdom carrier, contact a pastor at a church near you, call
Oakwood Church at (262) 367-1212 for assistance, or email elizabeth@oakwoodnow.org.
FURTHER
READING:
Susan is married to Mark, and
has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing, and
tutoring with the Literacy Council. She is a member of the Peace Team at
Oakwood and also co-leads a small group.
