Not far from the kingdom of God ...

Wednesday, Sept 21, 2016. What is it that is keeping you straight and upright? What is the center of your life? What keeps you going a straight path, keeping a constructive attitude in the middle of a lot of trouble?

The Lord in the center …

To me, it is the Lord - God in father, son and holy spirit. It is his truth, his love, his mercy, his justice, his meekness, his power, his wonderful creativity. It is him, who is light, and there is no shadow in him. It is his mercy, which is far beyond understanding. It is his righteousness in Christ, who dies for those who hate him.

The Lord can be my center. The Lord can be the one who keeps me upright. He can be the one who gives me new motivation every morning. He helps me to stay calm.

God is giving goals and orientation. He alone can help us, not to slide into the illusions of our time. He alone can show us a wonderful world, full of amazing things - and in the middle of creation the human race, with their own dignity and beauty!

Great Commandment …

What is most important? Jesus answers with the great commandment. He answers with guidance which leads you right into the middle of the heart of God. The whole world is made by him, surrounded by him and filled by him. He is our center. Let us read what Jesus says:

28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions. (from Mark 12)

We can come close to the kingdom of God - today we can even live in it by the spirit of Jesus. With the death and resurrection of Jesus the door to the kingdom of heaven is open. It is faith, it is love, the love of Jesus, the Lord. And with him as our center, he makes us new every morning. What a strong experience! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts