Goodness Manifested

Read: James 2:14-17

Suppose . . . you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? James 2:15-16

IN WORD

Countless Christian teachers have made the mistake of limiting the gospel of the Kingdom to “spiritual” matters. It’s true that the spiritual realm is the source of all else, and therefore that’s where salvation begins. But it certainly doesn’t end there. If it did, Scripture would not promise us a bodily resurrection; Jesus would not have demonstrated the Kingdom with physical healing and miraculous multiplication of food; the prophets would never have addressed issues like injustice, loneliness, brokenheartedness, poverty, and disease; and the city of God in Revelation wouldn’t have physical dimensions. But as we know, the resurrection is physical, Jesus’ miracles were tangible, the prophets focused on daily concerns that were visible, and the city of God has streets of gold and light and all sorts of visual manifestations. The Kingdom is not about disembodied spirits floating around in heaven. It’s about life that’s more real, more concrete, and more practical than we’ve ever known it to be.

That’s why James, for one example among many, emphasizes the actions of faith. Good theology is not a picture of the Kingdom. Practical kindness and provision are. Wisdom and understanding are certainly part of the Kingdom, but they have to be applied in order to mean something. The spiritual realm has enormous practical implications.

IN DEED

Don’t get caught up in “spirit only” thinking. The Kingdom isn’t an ethereal idea, it’s a manifestation of the King’s goodness. Telling someone to be warm and filled may be a Kingdom desire, but it isn’t a Kingdom expression. Warming and feeding someone . . . well, that’s what the Kingdom looks like. The realm of God is comprehensive. And we have every right—and even the obligation—to apply it to every area of life.

ADDITIONAL READING: 1 John 3:18

God’s goodness is the root of all goodness; and our goodness, if we have any, springs out of His goodness.

WILLIAM TYNDALE