In search of the Kingdom of God; Part 3... righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Rom 14:17 NET  For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

It is important to understand the context of Romans Chapter 14. I think it can best be explained by this passage; Rom 14:4-5  "Who are you to pass judgment on another’s servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.  (5)  One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be fully convinced in his own mind." Paul is using Romans 14 to explain that religious practice is not a good indicator to judge one another. So when he says in verse 17 that the kingdom of God is NOT food and drink, I think it is safe to assume that he has a broader intent than food and drink. He is speaking of outward religious practices in general. He is not being critical of those who observe or perform outward religious practices. Rather, he is stating that they are not a proper standard for judging and judgment.

What does Paul say the kingdom of God does consist of? It is interesting that he states RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE, and JOY in the Holy Spirit. What does that mean exactly? Well, here is a clue. Rom 5:1  Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Yes, imputed righteousness, being declared righteous by the faith of Jesus brings peace with God, and that in turn brings Joy. Those are the foundationally important elements in the kingdom of God. Without them, the kingdom of God will not be established. It is also important to notice the order... righteousness -> peace -> joy. If one is not resting completely in the gospel, and by gospel, I mean the finished work of Jesus Christ, there can be no peace.  We are declared righteousness based on the faith/faithfulness of Jesus. This is the most important thing to remember. God was in Christ, reconciling himself to the world, not counting sin. Further, he made Jesus, the one who did not even know sin to be made sin for humanity so that in turn humanity could be made the righteousness of God in Christ. This alone is the source of the peace. Therefore, the righteousness mentioned in Romans 14:17 is the righteousness of God. There really is no other righteousness.

There can be no real joy when there is constant fear. Religious practice is fear based. So much of current evangelical doctrine is based on being controlled by fear. Fear of not pleasing God; Fear of not really being saved; fear of being out of fellowship, and on and on. As the apostle John wrote, fear has torment, or more correctly, fear is torment. Understanding kingdom righteousness eliminates fear. Kingdom righteousness was bought and paid for by Jesus Christ. It is the righteousness that comes from his perfect faithfulness. He only did what the Father told him to do. He did that by faith and was faithful to the mission that he was sent to complete. He was willing to die... believing the Father... showing that death was not final. He was demonstrating that there is more, that there is eternal life.

He set the example of faithfulness and His Spirit enables us to apprehend this fact via the gospel message. Believing the gospel is the source of kingdom righteousness that leads to peace and ultimately joy.