A Bible Devotion

ROMANS 14:17 NKJ 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Here is a description of the Kingdom of God: righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness means everything being right.

God has given us the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). That means He has put us in right standing with Himself. He has said that everything is right between us and Him. Sin no longer separates us from God, because the precious blood of Jesus has cleansed us and we are forgiven by God.

Because we have right standing with God (righteousness), we have peace. There is no more struggle. God is not mad at us. God is on our side.

Peace means more than the absence of conflict. Peace means nothing broken and nothing missing. Peace includes the idea of prosperity -- having everything needful in abundance with no lack.

When you are right with God and have peace -- nothing missing and nothing broken -- you will have joy.

You can look at this as a progression, righteousness produces peace, and when you have righteousness and peace, joy will result.

God's Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. It is a kingdom of love. It is a kingdom where everything is right. In it there is no imperfection and no lack. It is a kingdom of peace. There is never any conflict because there is no selfishness. It is a kingdom of joy. Everyone rejoices because of the goodness of God.

God's kingdom includes everywhere God reigns. In the world there is trouble (John 16:33). But by faith in Jesus, it can be overcome (1 John 5:5).

SAY THIS: Because of God's gift of righteousness, I have peace and joy as a member of His Kingdom.