The Kingdom Of God Essay -- Religion Theology Christian Christianity e

Pearl gates, marble stairs and a throne of gold, or an inner area in the hidden depths of our own soul? Which can describe the true kingdom of God, a real physical world or a place that is only seen in ones hearts. Some would say it to be a place above man, built by God to be a home for peoples' souls after death. Others might say that it is no more than a place inside us that can only be reached through the right decisions and acts of kindness. A place that is not seen or discussed but only felt in a way that is incomparable to any feeling ever felt by the living. Yet while people retain their own images of the Kingdom of God the Bible itself gives a subtle definition through a series of parables or short stories, told by Jesus in order to pass along the message of who is God and what is the kingdom of heaven. Jesus, through his sayings and parables showed that the kingdom was being revealed in his own life and work. He preached his message of the coming of the kingdom through memorable stories, which in his day could and did relate to things of everyday life. Though most of Jesus' followers didn't recognize the kingdom till after his death it was still brought to them by the Holy Spirit with a full understanding of his word and actions. Yet it was evidently difficult for them to understand before his death due to the previous ideas of the kingdom as a whole. Like many people of today those in Jesus' time viewed Gods' kingdom as a place above them yet unlike people today thought more literal terms actually believing that God was above them and was looking down on them. Even now, when in prayer, one may have a tendency to look up at the heaven in reverence since next to God it is the most endless, unexplainable thing in the world. Yet people are still able to know that as they look up they see God just the same as if they shut their eyes in prayer were to the people of Jesus' time God was seen as truly sitting above them in his kingdom in which only those who follow the laws exactly would ever see.To truly understand the kingdom of God people have to have ways to describe it. One type of description used is the Kingdom as the redemptive or saving presents of God. By this one would say that the kingdom is seen through the natural love, kindness, and common curtsy people show each other ever day. Through these acts Gods redemptive prussic an d the grow... ...temptations arise, so many chance to fall into greed and hatred yet to resist everyday, to say no to the things we want so bad but will only mean trouble for us is and always has been the real challenge. So maybe I don't do great deeds or save the world from evil but I can save myself from it, I can chose not to do wrong and I can certainly take those small steps closer to the kingdom god has waiting for me to find. I feel that right now in my life I am a "Kingdom person." God and I have our disagreements at times but all-in-all I do all I know how to do to be the best person I can be. I don't always go out of my way to help those who may like it but I will give my life to help any one who needs it. So as a person of God I feel that right now I am a "Kingdom person."The Kingdom of God is a place yet not a place. It is here but not yet. It is to be found and looks to find us. And no matter who you are or what you believe the kingdom is, if one lives right, follows their heart and does as all men were given the right to do, which is chose God, what ever they feel is the utmost beauty of Gods creations. For it is one's faith that will lead him and what he has faith in he'll find.