God created all that is, heaven and earth and the nations of people who reside on the earth. God gave us God’s son, because God had an immeasurable love for all of humankind. Jesus, the son of God, gave his life for us, so that we could live a more abundant life, a life dominated by our love of God, our neighbors and one’s own self.

     As Easter People, we acknowledge Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. It is King Jesus who invites us to enter into a lifestyle of kingdom living. Jesus taught his disciples to pray for God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. God is about the establishment of God’s kingdom, which will come in God’s time.

In the meantime, let us consider the notion of what God wants us to do as disciples of Jesus Christ. Surely, God wants us to engage in kingdom living in the name of Jesus. We are compelled, therefore, to ask an urgent question: What does it mean to engage in kingdom living? What is kingdom living?

Perhaps we can gain some insight into the concept of kingdom living by examining three characteristics of the kingdom of God. When we turn to the Scripture, we find these words from the Apostle Paul: The kingdom of God is…righteousness and peace and joy. [Romans 14:17]

This text is couched in a passage of scripture that talks about avoiding personal activity that might cause another person to stumble in their daily living. Paul wants the Christians not to pass judgment on one another. Do not set out any stumbling block or hindrance. He goes on to talk about the Christian’s diet, what is clean and what is not clean. What is good for you might not be good for someone else.  Paul’s point is that the kingdom of God is not food and drink [Romans 14:17]. The kingdom of God is righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

First, for Paul, righteousness emerges from one’s faith in Jesus Christ. It is not about a set of religious rituals, customs and traditions. Jesus went to the cross and gave his life for us. He paid the price for us and gave us the gift of righteousness. We gain a new perspective and a new life style when we enter into Christ. We are a new creation. A mark of one’s righteousness is the daily grappling with the reality of living by the John Wesley’s General Rules: Do no harm. Do Good. Attend to the ordinances of God.

Paul’s second characteristic of God’s kingdom is peace. Peace, in part, is knowing the presence of God, acknowledging the presence of God as well as publicly and privately living in the presence of God. God’s peace leads to a sense of calm and quiet. It leads to a new attitude, an attitude of love, acceptance and ultimate joy.

We can pray and ask God to transform us into instruments of God’s peace. Our communities will change when folks are able to see God’s peace in God’s Pilgrim disciples. Our nation will change too as our communities change and become an oasis of God’s peace. But, let us get started in each congregation of the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church.

Paul’s third characteristic of God’s kingdom is joy. Joy comes in the morning, after the storm and we discover and encounter joy in the calm after the storm. Remember that peace comes from accepting and living in God’s righteousness. Righteousness and peace lead to joy.

This is the stuff that constitutes the kingdom of God from Paul’s perspective. Paul’s three characteristics of the kingdom of God constitute the stuff [ingredients] of kingdom living. 

As pilgrim disciples we are called to immerse ourselves in kingdom living. In the aftermath of Easter, we are reminded that we are Easter People and every day is Easter. Easter People embody the three characteristics of Paul’s concept of the kingdom of God in their kingdom living. Think about it!

   Faithfully,

   Ernest S. Lyght

   Resident Bishop

   West Virginia Annual Conference