![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Banner-MOG-701.gif\" "\\"Ministry")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.<\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight.<\/p>\n \u201cEating<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek noun br\u014dsis<\/em><\/span>, which is derived from the same root as br\u014dma<\/em> <\/span>(food) which we saw in verse fifteen. Br\u014dsis<\/em><\/span> refers to the act of eating and by extension it refers to the food being eaten.<\/p>\n \u201cDrinking<\/span>\u201d is from posis<\/em><\/span>, which refers to the act of drinking and by extension to the drink itself.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201crighteousness<\/span>\u201d is dikaiosun\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which refers to the character or quality of being righteous (always doing what is right) or just (guided by truth and fairness). It is a state of being in which God charges no blame because either there is no wrong to be blamed or the wrong has already been paid for and done away with.<\/p>\n \u201cPeace<\/span>\u201d is translated from eir\u0113n\u0113<\/em><\/span>, which can mean \u201ca state of tranquility\u201d or \u201cthe absence of war or the threat of war.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cjoy<\/span>\u201d is charis<\/em><\/span>. This word does not refer to \u201cexcitement and jubilation.\u201d It refers to \u201cgladness and calm delight.\u201d<\/p>\n There are several uses of the term \u201cthe kingdom of God\u201d in the New Testament. In some places it refers to the heavenly kingdom that will exist in the new heavens and the new earth after the current heavens and earth have been destroyed. In other places it refers to the earthly kingdom that will be in place during the Millennium, with Christ on the throne in Jerusalem. And in still others it refers to the spiritual kingdom that exists here and now, where Christ is reigning in the hearts of Christians. Although Paul\u2019s use of the term here could refer to any or all of these meanings, it appears that Paul is talking about the spiritual kingdom that exists today of which all Christians are members.<\/p>\n Even though eating and drinking are necessary for our earthly existence, these are not the things that are really important in our spiritual existence. In Matthew 4:4<\/strong><\/span> Christ, Himself, when tempted to create bread from the rocks after having not eaten for 40 days in the wilderness, told Satan,<\/p>\n It is written, \u201cMan shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The kingdom of God to which we belong today is not centered in the physical world, but in the spiritual world. Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our daily walk with Him are neither enhanced nor depreciated by what we do or don\u2019t eat or by whether we treat one day as sacred above the others or not. Instead, our focus should be on the spiritual body of Christ by treating each other with righteousness (doing what is right), being at peace with other Christians, and creating conditions that make for joy among all Christians.<\/p>\n Instead of arguing about what foods we can and can\u2019t eat or getting hung-up on how others treat \u201cthe Lord\u2019s day,\u201d let\u2019s do what we can to help nurture and grow the body of Christ, the church. By doing so, instead of strife and contention we can all experience a sense of peace and calm delight even in the midst of a world that is filled with evil.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ministryofgrace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/06\/Signature1.gif\" "\\"Will\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n