根据美国研究组织巴纳（Barna Group）在2016年对美国人灵性的调查，百分之七十二的人称自己为基督徒，但只有百分之三十实践他们的信仰；调查亦显示，信主的基督徒中，只有百分之三十五会每月到教会超过两次；虽然百分之七十五的人说他们会祷告，但只有百份之十九读圣经。
看了这些统计数字，我们可能不会想到神的国近了，事实上，有时我们反而觉得它似乎离我们很远。当耶稣说：“神的国近了”时，衪是什么意思呢？
神的国不是以地方为主的，它主要是指一种势力和一种生活方式，就是基督在我们周围和在我们里面掌权和作王；耶稣要我们知道，神的权柄和能力是不容否定的，在跟从耶稣的人身上便可以看到。作为君王，藉着我们的敬拜、服事、和顺服的生活，我们实行神的国的计划。
在今天，黑暗、罪恶、和魔鬼的势力尽管仍在影响这个世界，但是我们仍然可以活在神的国里。当我们寻求神在我们生命中的旨意，当我们为衪的计划和荣耀而活，我们便是与基督一同掌权的君王和王后了，切勿让魔鬼和它的诡计在你生命中占一位。神的国近了，衪希望在我们里面和藉着我们，把良善和光明带给这个世界。
主啊，愿你的国降临在地上，如同在天上。求你叫你完全的权柄进入我们的生命和这个世界里。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。
马可福音 1:14-15
14 约翰下监以后，耶稣来到加利利，宣传神的福音，
15 说：“日期满了，神的国近了！你们当悔改，信福音！”
"The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" — Mark 1:15
According to a 2016 Barna Group study of spirituality, 72 percent of people in the United States call themselves Christians, but only 31 percent practice their faith. This research also revealed that only 35 percent of believing Christians go to church more than twice a month. And although 75 percent say they pray, only 19 percent read their Bible.
Looking at these statistics, we might not think the kingdom of God is near. In fact, there can be times when it seems rather far away. When Jesus says, “The kingdom of God has come near,” what does he mean?
It’s less of a place and more of a presence and a way of life. The rule and reign of Christ is around us and in us. Jesus wants us to know that God’s authority and power will not be denied. It can be found in all followers of Jesus. As kings, we carry out God’s kingdom purposes in our worship, service, and obedient living.
Through Christ, you and I can live today in the kingdom of God, although the ways of darkness and sin and the devil still influence this world. When we seek God’s agenda for our lives, when we live for his purposes and glory, we are kings and queens reigning with Christ. Don’t let the devil and his lies have any place in your life. God’s kingdom is near, and God wants to work in us and through us to bring goodness and light into this world.
Lord, may your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Bring your full authority into our lives and into this world, we pray. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
