Thy Kingdom Come

By Willa Johnson

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, the phrase “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” was included within the prayer. At the time they thought Jesus came to establish a worldly kingdom. After all, they were being oppressed by the Romans. They were looking for relief from the way they were being treated. What a disappointment it was when they learned that Jesus would not release them from their woes by establishing an earthly kingdom. In fact, they learned that they would suffer even worse persecution.

The Internet is an interesting place to seek information. We must always remember that, just because it’s there doesn’t mean it’s true. The Holy Bible is still the best authority on almost any subject as it is God’s only inspired Word to mankind.

An interesting email recently related how one of the largest mega-churches in America has finished a study in which they discovered the important thing was to disciple…to teach and nurture…their people instead of striving for numbers. Well, DUH! Isn’t that what Christ uttered in Matthew 28:19, 20 just before he ascended into heaven? “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

The leaders of the aforementioned mega-church cited Dr. Benjamin Spock who ruined a whole generation of children because parents followed his advice instead of the teachings of the Bible. The church leaders now believe they have not been true to the scriptures because they concentrated on gathering numbers instead of teaching the true gospel.

As for the second part of the quotation from Christ’s prayer: “Thy will be done” isn’t that where most of us have failed? We want “our” will, not Christ’s. We are not willing to submit to His will. That is, not until we hit bottom.

Many years ago at a Sunday School party we were asked to use an adjective with our first initial to describe ourselves. It was an easy one for me… “Willful Willa.” What a perfect description it was for me because that’s exactly what I was at the time. It wasn’t until I learned that my son, an only child, had a heart condition that may or may not be serious that I turned everything over to God. I was seeking peace and comfort when I asked God to keep Steve in His care, to totally restore him to good health, but if that wasn’t to be, to give me the strength to endure whatever the outcome. God graciously answered my prayer and today I am blessed with two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Truthfully, my willfulness springs to the forefront at times even today and certainly there have been many struggles and heartaches along life’s highway, but I’ve learned that it’s only when I turn everything over to God, seeking HIS will, that I am blessed.

In recent weeks we have heard about one tragic shooting after another in crowded places, two in churches. To think an armed church guard shot the shooter makes me wonder what this world is coming to when a church has a need for an armed guard.

It is my belief that we should practice all of the prayer that Christ taught his disciples and not just the asking portion. Christ also told us that we will have tribulations in this world and that his kingdom was not of this world. When I hear and read about the horrible events taking place today, I realize there is nothing new under the sun. God destroyed two cities, Sodom and Gomorrah, thousands of years ago because of sin. (See Genesis 19)

During New Testament times Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3 the following: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, without self control, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” Further on: “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of.”

These words could have been written today. Christ’s kingdom is made up of His followers here on earth because it is spiritual and will be completed on that day of His returning. Until then, let us practice seeking His Will, not ours.

Willa Johnson writes from Phoenix, Oregon. wjhat@ccountry.com