Seek the Kingdom Within
Jesus in the bible is quoted as saying "Seek the Kingdom within". This doesn't seem to square with Christianity's promotion of 'have faith in Jesus' and surrender to Jesus as the way, yet this seems to be the majority Christian view still.
What would happen if I told a normal Christian that I was seeking the Kingdom within, just as Jesus said in the bible? Would 'good' Christians think me foolish, or even evil? Is it better to just shut up? |
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whether or not you shut up it depends on whether you are astute enough to guess that having 'good christians' mad at you might actually be good for seeking. |
Let me explain in a bit more detail. My son has recently started at a Baptist Christian school, because he was being bullied in the public system, and the Christian schools tend to have good pastoral care and still be relatively cheap (we couldn't afford an expensive private school).
So, I got chatting with one of the other parents at my sons basketball game, and asked her what Baptists actually believe. Within this conversation I mentioned that I have prayed to Jesus in times of need, but otherwise I just do my own thing, and this in turn led to a text a few days later inviting me to her church. So I haven't responded to that text yet, sent about a week ago, and I'm wondering, how on earth should I respond, I'd like to hear what others might do that keeps me honest but not off-siding someone who's just being a 'normal' and kind Christian. |
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Hi django, My understanding of "seek the kingdom within" is what he said of his mindset. If you don't have a good quality within you what you do is futile. (This has nothing with the energy, because energy is belonging to physical uses but not for the pushing of mind power for dharma). That's kingdom within. Your mind will remain as a row self that's unrefined. After it's polished and uplifted or enlightened you'll have the kingdom within you. |
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I have been in your situation, being invited to church services which I didn't want to participate in. You don't want to hurt the other persons feelings but I think it's best to be honest and explain to them that you don't feel the need to follow a specific religion but thanks anyway. You are in a difficult situation as you have put your child into a school which teaches the Baptist religion and there probably will be situations when you will be invited to accompany your child to church and participate, I myself would support your child on his journey until he can decide for himself what religion he wants or doesn't want to follow, grin and bare it for now, go when your Son wants to go but also keep your own beliefs separate. |
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As for the topic, Jesus said "seek the kingdom within" and others say "the way to God is through Jesus" so you connect the dots...The way to God is through Jesus and Jesus says to seek the kingdom within"...it's win/win. |
I believe the kingdom within is explained further in The Lord's Prayer.
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Yes we all believe differently, some through prayer others through self realization, free will to believe what we choose is a gift.... |
django-it certainly is a dilemma-you placed your child in a different school due to the bullying that was going on in the old school. Now he is just getting acclimated at his new school when an invite comes from a parent. I wonder if there is some small fear that if you do not accept the invitation that perhaps he will again experience another negative experience.
You basically have 3 options-graciously decline, accept-go-keep an open mind-or you could simply say, let me pray about it. Another way to possibly look at this-maybe you can explain to her that you are seeking with an open mind-will attend-but do not want to promise to continue attending until you have come to a decision about which direction you are heading. |
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