Part One: The Battle for the Heart
When we pray, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” do we realize that those two requests are really similar? The Kingdom of God already has come with the appearance of King Jesus. What remains is the subduing of all else to Him. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28; Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:14, 27; Revelation 11:15.
But before Jesus destroys evil armies and dethrones rebellious kings, He first must conquer our hearts! He does this, not as the Lion, but the Lamb, dying for sinners, and encouraging His followers to take up their own crosses and follow Him, laying down their lives for others. But how does that work in practice? The Book of Philemon shows us, as Paul seeks to reconcile a newly converted runaway slave to his wronged, believing master.