Our theme for 2008 sounds great. It is most meaningful and I am sure that is what FGBMF is all about. But how do we individually or collectively advance the Kingdom of God? What or where is the Kingdom of God anyway?

The answer was provided at the Sarawak Annual Members Conference (AMC). Bro Dr Thomas Chung, our old friend and the invited speaker, spoke on the Kingdom of God. He told us the Kingdom of God is mentioned more than 100 times in the Gospels and in Matthew alone more than 40 times. But the Kingdom of God is intangible. It is abstract and indefinable. But much like faith we can see when it is in operation. It is like air. You cannot see it but it is there. When it moves we know because we can feel the wind and the effect of the air moving. From his message I gleaned some valuable insights into how we can advance the Kingdom of God in the marketplace.

To start off the Kingdom of God is within us. “The Kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17: 20,21). People in the marketplace cannot see the kingdom of God inside of us. However they can see the effect, the impact and the influence of the Kingdom when it is in operation in our lives, though our talk and more so through our walk. For the Kingdom to be manifest through our lives Dr Tommy highlighted four prerequisites.

Captured hearts - We must allow our hearts to be captured by God; as in Proverbs 23:26 “My son, give me your heart”. When that happens we would have no problem laying all of our resources at His feet as in 2Chronciles 29:31, “...as many as were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings.” and in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Transformed thinking - Our thinking would be shaped by the Word so actions and reactions would be different from the world. Romans 12:2 reminds us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” Our lives would undergo a metamorphosis; from a lowly and unattractive caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. Our lives shall be in harmony with the Holy Spirit.

Different values – We would then be able to, “...seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Colossians 3:1, 2) The world may see our lives as upside down because it is an upside down Kingdom but we would really be living the right side up.

Christ-like behavior – With captured hearts and transformed minds and with heavenward values we can truly be His salt and light to the world. As in Colossians 1:9,10, we shall be “...filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God...”.

As we serve Him and serve others we shall incur the good pleasure of God resulting in blessings from God and intimacy with God. We cannot hope to advance Kingdom of God in the marketplace without fi rst being transformed ourselves. Each of us needs to exhibit the Kingdom in our lives, consistently and persistently. And then his Kingdom shall come on earth as it is in heaven.