Ian & Jocelyn Barker

I have started to read Dallas Willard’s modern Christian classic, The Divine Conspiracy. It’s basic message is that Christianity is about bringing God’s Kingdom into earth, not about getting to heaven. Speaking about the meaning of God’s Kingdom is “at hand,” he says that that phrase more accurately means, “is here,” or “has come.” Thus he writes,

One thing that may mislead us about the meaning of “at hand” in Jesus’ basic message is the fact that other “kingdoms” are still present on earth along with the kingdom of the heavens. They too are “at hand.” That is the human condition. Persons other than God, such as you or I, are still allowed on earth to have a “say” that is contrary to his will…

All of this God still permits. And the lack of human unity in intelligent love under God not only leaves us at the mercy of manmade disasters, such as wars, famine, and oppression, but also prevents our dealing successfully with many so-called natural evils, such as disease, scarcity, and weather-related disasters.

I like that phrase, “human unity in intelligent love under God.” The Church will live in unity and love but will do so with wisdom and under the leadership of God. But the great thing is that we can do so now. The Kingdom of God rules wherever a human heart receives the Kingdom and acts as a ruler in that Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is wherever His will is done and it spreads by His co-rulers. This is great news.