The Rule Within

— A Glimpse into the Kingdom Factor —

“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 17:21 NKJV

Imagine an infinitely powerful and sovereign realm—unparalleled, yet invisible to the human eye. Everything this realm touches is ultimately transformed according to the will of its King. This isn’t a distant galaxy far far away; it’s a present reality: the Kingdom of God. At its heart is what we’ll call the ‘Rule Within’: God’s sovereign reign at work in every believer. This is the Kingdom Factor.

People have always been preoccupied with the return of Jesus and the coming of His Kingdom—so much so that many miss its present reality in their midst. Even today, the fascination with the end times is an obsession.

The vast majority of Christians believe that we are on the verge of the coming Kingdom in the return of Christ. It’s a fixation with what is to come that robs them of the very present power and call on their lives for today. The truth is, the Kingdom has come, now is, and will be forever; the end of this age is merely a continuation of its eternal rule. As Isaiah 9 declares, “The government shall be upon His shoulders, and of the increase of His government there will be no end.” In other words, the authority and rule of Christ is present now—Jesus is the reigning King, both in heaven and within us. For it is Christ who is on the shoulders of the body as the head in an eternally increasing measure.

The true essence of the Kingdom lies hidden within us, waiting to be discovered. Luke 17:21 reveals that the path to this realm is not marked by external signs, but by an internal relationship with the living God as Father. This relational exchange is what Jesus meant when He charged us to seek first the Kingdom.

As the Church, we desperately need to lay hold of this ‘Rule Within.’ The One within us is greater than anything that opposes us—internally or externally. Consider this example:

So often, circumstances seem to dictate our response in life. Yet the Apostle Paul understood the ‘Rule Within’ in a truly profound way. In 2 Corinthians 1, facing a death sentence, Paul realized he could not trust in himself for deliverance, but he could trust in the God who raises the dead. Even in the face of death, he trusted God’s rule within him to raise him from the dead if need be. That is a total dependence, free from fear—a trust that God’s power and goodness surpasses any situation in existence.

This rule is the treasure in earthen vessels—the living power of God inside everyone who is in Christ. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. As Paul also wrote, “Greater is He who is within me than he who is in the world.” There is absolutely nothing around us greater than the ‘Rule Within.’

Too often, we look outward for evidence of God’s rule, expecting signs or world-changing events. Yet the true revolution begins inside us, in the quiet places where God’s Spirit shapes our desires, attitudes, and actions. As Jesus said in Luke 17:21, the Kingdom doesn’t come with such observances. When we recognize His Kingdom at work within, we begin to live from a place of confidence and peace, regardless of our circumstances. Remember Jesus asleep in the bow of the boat as the storm raged and the disciples feared for their lives? Yeah, the Rule Within.

Living in surrender to the ‘Rule Within’ empowers us to carry the atmosphere of the Kingdom into every area of our lives—our relationships, workplaces, families, everywhere the sole of our foot treads. The Kingdom advances not just through great displays of power but through everyday acts of kindness, forgiveness, love, and grace. This is how the Father’s character is revealed in us, and the world gets to catch a glimpse of His sovereign love—through ordinary lives made extraordinary by the grace of God.

So I encourage you to embrace His rule within you. Romans 8:28 promises us that, “He causes ALL things to work together for the GOOD of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Absolutely powerful! We cannot fail as children of God. Lean into this promise. Trust His rule in you! Agree with it and call it so! Let it become the rhythm of your life, the steady heartbeat of hope and power that changes everything in and around you. Stand on the truth that in all things His rule is preeminent and His love never fails!

In the passionate pursuit of His Kingdom,

Pastor Jason

You’re invited to get a more detailed and in-depth experience of The Weekly Word by visiting CCF in person @ 10:30 on Sunday mornings or by watching our recorded weekly live stream on our CCF Facebook Page

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