| The Golden Gate of Prayer |
Chapter 6 |
Page 4 |
When we turn to our Lord’s teachings we find many thoughts about this kingdom, revealing to us its character. It “cometh not with observation”; that is, so that its progress can be noted by earthly signs. Earthly kingdoms advance with pomp and noise, in cruel war, crushing enemies before them, and in display of power which awes men. The kingdom of God advances silently. One of its symbols is light — the morning comes noiselessly.
This kingdom is not an earthly organization. The church is not the kingdom of God — the church, with its ecclesiastical system, its ritual, simple or elaborate, its membership footed up in statistical tables, its sacraments, its ministrations. “The kingdom of God is within you,” said the Master. It sets up its throne in men’s hearts. It rules over men’s lives. It is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy. Every true Christian is in the kingdom of God, and this kingdom is also in him. But the kingdom of God and visible church are not identical. There are many lowly friends of God in whom this kingdom has been set up, yet whose names are on no roll of any church; and
no doubt there are members of the visible church, perhaps some who are prominent and conspicuous in it, in whom the kingdom of God has not found a realm.
Christ himself came and lived and taught and died to make men good, and to bring them into the heavenly kingdom. If we ask what the laws of this kingdom are, we find them plainly revealed in our Lord’s teachings, the sermon on the mount is Christ’s own exposition of the life of the kingdom God. This sermon begins with the beatitudes which tell us who are the blessed or happy ones.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
At every point in these beatitudes we recognize the difference between earth’s ideals of happiness and of proper human pursuit and heaven’s. The whole sermon runs upon the same lofty lines. Think what the community would be in which these teachings should be fully realized, lived out, wrought into conduct and character. Yet that is the coming of the kingdom for which we pray in this petition.
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