Page 46 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

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We have established that our first encounter with peace is that we become believers by means of
embracing “the gospel of peace.” Let us now add a second encounter with peace:

2. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS GOVERNED BY “PEACE”

“FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT FOOD OR DRINK, BUT RIGHTEOUSNESS AND PEACE AND

JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT. FOR HE WHO SERVES CHRIST IN THESE THINGS IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD

AND APPROVED BY MEN. THEREFORE LET US PURSUE THE THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR PEACE
AND THE THINGS BY WHICH ONE MAY EDIFY ANOTHER.” Romans 14:17-19

Look carefully at these two illustrations. One states the three There is an old English proverb
governing principles of a spiritual kingdom while the other states the that says, “Birds of a feather,
three governing principles of an earthly kingdom: flock together.” These are not

birds of the same ideology, and
yet, they seem to flock together
well due to the erroneous mixture
of “God and country” (politics and

religion) that has permeated
American Christianity.

Many Christians steeped in patriotism would feel very
comfortable with the contents of this somewhat
cynical official Navy poster.
Why so? Because of the adoption of the
Constitutional principles of “Life, Liberty and the
Pursuit of Happiness” as being God-inspired, God
breathed. This is a big oxymoron!
These kinds of earth-bound values governing
physical kingdoms are not in harmony with the stated
objectives of the spiritual Kingdom of God, but rather
are in direct opposition!

What is acceptable service to God for a Christian is stated above in Romans 14:17-18. It is not “Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness”, but rather “Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit!” It is
because the Kingdom of God consists of a totally different set of values that Jesus made the statement:

“MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD. IF MY KINGDOM WERE OF THIS WORLD, MY SERVANTS WOULD
FIGHT…FOR THIS CAUSE I HAVE COME INTO THE WORLD, THAT I SHOULD BEAR WITNESS TO THE TRUTH.
EVERYONE WHO IS OF THE TRUTH HEARS MY VOICE” Jn.18:36

As His followers today, are we not also to bear witness to the same truth? Does not Paul

call the church “… the pillar and ground of the truth?” (1 Tim. 3:15). Has Jesus changed His

mind? Is His kingdom now of this world since the birth of America as “One Nation Under

God?” Many Christians live as if it were so. Are we now, as Christians, to be actively part

of the pursuit of all who threaten the right to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness?

Happiness is not joy. Happiness is dependent upon what is “happening” to you. Happiness

is an earthly, subtle substitute for the joy that comes by means of the Holy Spirit (Hab.3:18)

Righteous wars, bent on taking democracy to the whole world instead of the God-given gospel of peace,
are earthly substitutes for true peace that comes through a life-saving, and life-changing relationship with
Jesus Christ who “is our peace.” Ironically, earthly kingdoms such as America believe that the pathway to
peace is through war. Such rationale is not to be part of the principles that govern the subjects
(Christians) in the Kingdom of God. God’s Kingdom is STILL “not of this world.” Therefore, we should not
be in harmony with the unregenerate citizens madly pursuing after “life, liberty and happiness.” Our focus
as believers is a different set of principles, those of “Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”