Luke 1:68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them.”

Who are these people? – Any who call upon Jesus Christ to be Savior and Lord of their lives.

So, who are we?

Are we Christian Americans? In Europe, there is a political party called Christian Democrats.

But to use more religious terms, perhaps we are:
• Christian pre-millennialists, that is, believing that Christ will return prior to His thousand-year reign on the earth
• Or perhaps we are Christian post-millennialists, believing that Christ will return to earth after a certain thousand-year time period during which Christians will have established the Kingdom
• And further yet, we could be Christian amillenialists, not believing in a literal thousand-year time period

Is that confusing? It sure is to people outside the church. Denominations have their place, but they can also get in the way.

The words of the Bible are from God and of great significance for our teaching, learning, and maturing.

2 Tim. 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

But sometimes we take teachings from the Bible and they are developed into rigid, unbending belief systems that separate believers and cause bad feelings and division. They give off a stinky aroma and people avoid them.

Maybe we are Christian fundamentalists. Or Christian evangelicals. Maybe we are Christian Anabaptists?

Actually, all these statements are in error because in them the word “Christian” is being used as an adjective. “Christian” should be the subject, or noun, of the sentences.

Christ should be the subject or noun (person, place, or thing) of our lives. For us it is important to have Christ at the center of our lives so that we may announce and live the Kingdom of God here on earth.

Do you ever catch yourself thinking and wishing and dreaming about when things will be OK, or you will be OK?

I will be OK:
• when my political party finally is in control
• when Christ returns
• when others believe what I believe
• when disease is conquered
• when I have enough in my savings
• when he learns to pick up after himself
• and on and on. Everything will be ok "when…”

But, the words of Jesus are this: Luke 17:20-21
"Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

As we look forward to the New Year and all it brings, let’s live in the midst of the Kingdom, where there is no "supply chain shortage" of grace and mercy from God. "Inflation" has not driven the price of redemption up, because it has already been paid for. It is free to offer to as many people as possible. The “infection” our world needs is the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Happy Kingdom New Year!