The New Testament texts which state the fact of our present good standing in Jesus are too numerous to list here. Paul lists them in his letter to the Romans. In 2 Corinthians 9:10, where he states that our righteousness bears fruit in this life. He describes the believers at Philippi as being “filled with the fruits of righteousness” which were “by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:11)
It goes without saying that to be filled with the “fruit” of righteousness they must have had the righteousness which produced that fruit.
Then there’s the opposite: “Being filled with all unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:29) In the following verses, Paul lists the sins which the human race has overmuch (verses 30-32). The opposite to being “filled with the fruits of righteousness” is to be “filled with all unrighteousness.” The definition of “filled” means, “no part left empty.”
The “righteousness” we received through Justification, produces fruit as a result of Sanctification – the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our daily living. Without doubt, the greatest enemy of God’s righteousness is self-righteousness: to be filled with one it is necessary that we be emptied of the other. Many do not “hunger and thirst” after righteousness because they are satisfied with self- righteousness.
So, what’s it to be: self-righteousness and the degree of satisfaction it brings, or God’s righteousness and the total satisfaction it brings? “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:53) We can be blessed by God to the fullest or we can live a semi-satisfied life – the choice is ours.
That there is a present, spiritual aspect to the Kingdom of God is very clear. That the Kingdom is yet to come in the fullest sense at the return of Jesus is equally clear. There are some verses that apply to us now (and any honest bible teacher includes them), and there are some verses – the majority – that can only apply to us in the future (and these must also be included). Those verses that apply now include John 3:3,6; 1 Corinthians 4:30; Romans 14:17 and Colossians 1:13.
Jesus informed Pontius Pilate: “My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36) The word “of” refers to origin. Jesus was not saying that his kingdom would never be an earthly one. He was simply saying that “this world” was not its origin. “But now [at this time] my kingdom is not from here.”
Jesus was saying that his kingdom was from heaven; that its source, its origin, was “not of this world [order].” The inclusion of the word “now” is important. The Greek word translated “now” means, “at this time” (as in Romans 3:26). Although Jesus stated that at that time his kingdom was not an earthly one, the qualifying word “now” indicated that a day would come when it would be.
The conflict at the time was between God’s spiritual kingdom and Satan’s authority. Jesus faced and won the spiritual battle alone. The field of battle was firstly, the Garden of Gethsemane, where he prayed while his disciples slept; secondly Pilate’s judgement hall, where he testified while Peter denied him and the others fled; and finally, the Cross, where those who passed by mocked him as he bled and died.
The final conflict after our Master’s return to earth will be a decisive one. Jesus rules his church from heaven now, but will rule as “King of kings and Lord of lords” after his return! We’re all looking forward to a world over which righteousness rules!