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As a person with an electronics background, I like things being properly defined. So when people speak about things from the Bible, I like to know what the words mean. So here is a recent definition that helped me and I hope it helps you, too.

Romans 14:17 tells us:
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The definition of the kingdom of God therefore is: righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Yes, the Kingdom of God is a present reign of Jesus in heaven.

Yes, the Kingdom of God is a future reign of Jesus in the earth.

But Jesus wants us to experience His Kingdom here and now.

First, we need to define these three words: Righteousness, Peace and Joy.

Righteousness: Having right-standing with God, and being able to enter His throne room at any time.

Peace: Not being affected by negative things around you. Knowing where you are going when you die. (My personal definition)

Joy: Joy is not happiness. Happiness depends on something happening. Joy is an inner strength not affected by things around you.

So, having defined the Kingdom of God, let us look at this in context:
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
But seek first the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
(Matt. 6:33)
God wants us to be looking for the right things in the right place — now.

Wherever righteousness, peace and joy are, there are all the Kingdom benefits for us.
Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Spirit.
(Matt. 18:3)
Don’t go all grown-up; receive as a child and enter his righteousness, peace and joy. There is a place of rest in Him that we can enter, where His Kingdom reigns.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Spirit.
(Luke 12:32)
There is no need for fear in a believer who has received this.Father is pleased to give you an anti-fear injection of righteousness, peace and joy.

When we operate in these attributes of God, fear has no place in us.
And because righteousness, peace and joy are in the Holy Spirit, they are already in you.

Here is a true story of a man operating without fear. 

John G Lake was in Africa during a bubonic plague outbreak. When asked what he was using to protect himself from it.

He answered, “Brother, that is the ‘law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ I believe that just as long as I keep my soul in contact with the living God so that His Spirit is flowing into my soul and body, that no germ will ever attach itself to me, for the Spirit of God will kill it.” He asked, “Don't you think that you had better use our preventatives?” John replied, “No, but doctor I think that you would like to experiment with me.

If you will go over to one of these dead people and take the foam that comes out of their lungs after death, then put it under the microscope you will see masses of living germs.

You will find they are alive until a reasonable time after a man is dead.

You can fill my hand with them and I will keep it under the microscope, and instead of these germs remaining alive, they will die instantly.” They tried it and found it was true.

They questioned, “What is that?” John replied, “That is ‘the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus.’ When a man's spirit and a man's body are filled with the blessed presence of God, it oozes out of the pores of your flesh and kills the germs.”

John G. Lake had this confidence because he knew he lived in righteousness, peace and joy.
Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:3)
Only people who are born again can see this and experience it in their lives. Only believers can operate in the spiritual realm where righteousness, peace and joy are.
Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
(John 3:5)
Only those who are born again can enter in to this gift of God.
It is like having your own ticket to paradise, here and now on this earth.
Then He said, What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.
Then He said, What is the Righteousness, Peace and Joy in The Holy Spirit like?
(Luke 13:18-19)
It is like something that you plant in your life, tend it and watch it grow until it is of benefit to others.

First it is just a knowledge of these things, but as we allow it to grow within us, it becomes a reality we can experience. Then our experience grows into something that will bless others.

This same principle of exchanging these words can be applied wherever the Bible speaks about the kingdom of God, or kingdom of heaven.

That way we can more fully understand his kingdom reigning here and now, and better explain it to someone who has yet to believe.

Copyright © Foundation Christian Fellowship
All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Author Biography

Stephen Wood
Web site: Foundation Christian Fellowship
 
In 1982 Stephen Wood was a heathen, in a rocky marriage to Janet who was agoraphobic at the time. Janet had given her heart to Jesus as a child but was never taught to read the Word to promote growth. Janet did know enough to cry out to God for their marriage.
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