I have been thinking a lot recently about the kingdom of God. A large proportion of the New Testament - and particuarly the Gospel’s - is all about the kingdom of God but what exactly is it and what does it mean to enter it? I recently heard Dallas Willard define the kingdom of God as being the range of God’s effective will. I think that is a really helpful definition. It helps us to see that the kingdom of God is not a place but rather describes the rule of God. The kingdom of God is where what God wants done IS done.

When I think of the Lord’s prayer we are encouraged to pray that God’s kingdom would come here on earth as it is in heaven. In light of the above definition, when we are praying this, I can now see that we are praying that the range of God’s effective will would be extended or increased. We know that in heaven God’s will is done without hindrance but God wants His will to be done here on earth too. And He has chosen the church to be the primary means through which His will is done and extended. We have the privilege of being participants in the increase of God’s kingdom through our prayers and through our being ambassadors of the kingdom and representatives of King Jesus. I think that is exciting as well as being a big responsibility! May the Holy Spirit help us to further God’s kingdom with ever increasing success.

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