Paul to the Romans 14, 17, describes its nature in a few words. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy, in the Holy Spirit." By these marks and attributes this kingdom is known, and distinguished from all others. Righteousness is supreme love to God, and love and benevolence to man; this we may call inward righteousness, the fountain of all righteous acts towards God and man: for if we love God in heart, we will be led to unreserved obedience to all his commands; for this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments." And if we love our neighbor, we will be led to do unto him, as we would he should do unto us.
Peace is another property and mark of the kingdom of God. Peace and righteousness are twin-sisters--they always dwell together, and are never separated. The Righteous have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ--They have peace in their own hearts, "for there is no condemnation to them, who are in Christ Jesus.--They are led to live peaceably with all men, as much as in them lies, because they love peace. They endeavor to make and promote peace, and "quench the coals of growing strife." Peace is the darling attribute of God himself; he is called "The God of peace." It is the attribute of the great Mediator; he is called "the prince of peace." It is also the attribute of his church and people, for they are called "the kingdom of peace, the children of peace," and the gospel, the word of reconciliation is called "the gospel of peace."
Joy in the Holy Spirit is another property and mark of the kingdom of God. We joy in God through our /29/ Lord Jesus Christ--in his power to protect and bless us--in his wisdom to guide and direct us--in his love, truth and goodness--in his faithfulness to his promises--in all his perfections, and promises of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
Should it be asked, "Who constitute this kingdom? or what is the character of its members? The answer is easy;p they are those, who have the properties and marks of this kingdom, they are all righteous, they have the peace of God ruling in them, and the joys of the Holy Spirit. None else are recognized as members of this kingdom. So John the Baptist describes the kingdom which he proclaimed to be nigh--the very kingdom of which we speak. He told the Pharisees, and Sadducees coming to his baptism, to repeat, and bring forth fruits, meet for repentance. Think not within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father, and therefore we have a right to the privileges of the new kingdom without repentance; no, says John "For, now the axe is laid at the root of trees; therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewn down and cast into the fire. In your old church were found the fruitful and unfruitful, like trees, growing together--not so in the New kingdom now at hand, none but the fruitful shall stand in it. In you old church, the good and the bad were mingled together, like the wheat and the chaff in one promiscuous heap; but now with his winnowing fan he hill separate them, the wheat shall be gathered into his garner, and the chaff burnt up.
The same truth our Saviour taught Nicodemus John 3 " Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God; except a man be born of water, and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." To be born again, is, to be baptised in water; and to be born of the Spirit, is, to be saved by the renewing of the Holy Spirit. Were it possible for an unrenewed soul to be admitted into the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, could he see, or enjoy it? could he relish its spirit and enjoyments? Impossible. "For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with and infidel? and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?" With such a person there could be no fellowship, no enjoyment. Attempting to admit into the church such members has /30/ been one cause of her glory departing from her, of that discord, strife and division, which had so long disgraced her in the eyes of the world. O when shall Zion's glory be restored! One thing is certain, her glory will not be restored till a reformation of these evils be effected-- till the church be purged from idolatry, or the service of mammon--from seeking the friendship and honor of the world--from union with the States and Kingdoms of the world--from the vain desire and work of legislating, in order to check and destroy the reigning corruption of mankind--from the vain attempts to have better laws, and better rulers in the civil government to the neglect of the king and kingdom of peace. Had half the Zeal been expended in the cause of christianity, which of late has been spent by religious professors in state politics, religion would have raised her drooping head, and smiled in hope of better times.
Paul to the Corinthians, Epis: 12 chap. beautifully describes the members of the church or kingdom of heaven. "For by, or in one spirit are we all baptised into one body, and have been all made to drink into one spirit." In Eph, iv 4 v 6. "There is one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
Where, O Where is this church or kingdom, in which these things are, and which is thus shining! We long to see it--We long to see the world, attracted by her light, flowing to her, and joining with her to glorify our Heavenly Father. Lord Jesus, hasten the joyful hour.
B. W. Stone.