Page:Spiritual Reflections for Every Day in the Year - Vol 2.pdf/139

 top, "the Temple of the Lord—the Temple of the Lord—the Temple of the Lord, are WE." But to be told that the kingdom of God cometh not with observation, nor with a lo here! or lo there! but that it was altogether a spiritual kingdom residing within, must have forcibly struck at the root of that principle which, in the pride of the human heart, seeks to exalt self above others. It is most certain, that whatever the kingdom of God or heaven implies, it is within—and the more we look out of ourselves for it, the more shall we stray from it. Our Lord has said that the kingdom of God is within; and one word proceeding from his divine lips, should weigh more with us than the imaginations of all men put together. It is readily admitted, and gratefully acknowledged as true, that there is, indeed, an eternal state and world, into which all the faithful disciples of Jesus Christ will enter, after passing through this world of nature. But this is the touchstone which is to try us; for, into that heaven of celestial bliss, the aggregate of joy, no human being can possibly enter but the person who has the kingdom of God within. Let us not then deceive ourselves in this important matter! Our first inquiry must be—What constitutes the heaven as residing within? which if not within us, we shall never behold outwardly at all. The kingdom of God, or heaven, is the government of the Divine Love and Wisdom exercising their united reign in the soul of man! But how are we to know that this love and wisdom are ruling, governing, and reigning within us? Nothing is more easy. Let every man examine himself, and if he be true and faithful to himself, he will soon discover whether the kingdom of God be within him or not.