Let’s start with what is arguably the highest value in the life of a believer–why we exist. Jesus expresses it in the Lord’s Prayer: “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven….” This is about the reign and activity of God on earth.
Our part is how we live that out in our daily lives. From Genesis to Revelation two things, and only two things, stand out consistently with every situation and person, including Jesus himself, when it comes to being part of the Kingdom of God. Those two things are his Word, the Bible as we have received it, and his Spirit, the Holy Spirit, who resides in us, guides us, and does God’s work in us.
So the way we pursue “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” is living by God’s Word and Spirit.
God’s Word: As the inspired, ancient record of God’s interaction with humanity, the Bible is our authoritative foundation for all things in faith and practice–and it lays foundational principles for all things in life. We value, submit to, and are guided by God’s Word above all else.
God’s Spirit: As the third Person of the Trinity, expressing the heart and mind of God, the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, leads us to saving faith in Jesus Christ, comforts, heals, guides, fills, sanctifies, and empowers us. We experience pursue all these activities of the Spirit to the best of our ability and obedience.
In this brief life on earth, we know that we’re not the main thing. Rather, as we live by God’s Word and Spirit in the Kingdom of God, we are blessed to be a blessing to others. The greatest blessings are eternal, and as we do all this we anticipate meeting our God face to face.
