The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
One of the great challenges facing Christ-followers is to embrace Kingdom Life while living in the midst of a sinful and dying world. Through several readings in my morning devotions, I uncovered 3 principles for Kingdom Life. It was not something I was intentionally seeking yet, God was making the connections for me through my reading in Psalm 115, Luke 16 among other Scripture passages and writings. I hope to encourage you by sharing these with you.
1. God's Glory
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
It's all about God and not me. Admittedly, this is most unnatural for us. Our sinful tendency is to always draw the focus to one's self (pride). However, the 4 powerful words that open Scripture in Genesis 1:1 states, In the beginning God.... The Apostle Paul reminds us in the passage above that everything, even the routine details of life like eating and drinking are to be done to the glory of God. It is God who existed before time even came into being. You and I are the result of His creative expression of love and our purpose is for Him not the other way around. To embrace Kingdom Life is to make 1 Corinthians 10:31 a guiding principle every day. The Lamentations passage at the top reminds us that we have every grace that we need to bring glory to God. Every believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to live to the glory of God. The power is unleashed in our surrender.
2. Obedient Service
Redeemed and surrendered, our natural desire becomes more and more to be the image-bearer of Christ in a hurting and fallen world. Specifically, Jesus calls us to the least of these.
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Matthew 25:34-36.
James put this slant on it:
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27
What brings glory to God is a life that is lived for Him and with Him in service to others especially, the ones the world would quickly call insignificant. We proclaim Christ in our words and i our actions towards others. I have the privilege of engaging in this ministry in Haiti. But, the truth is our mission field is as close as the end of our kitchen table and as far as the ends of the earth. Obedient service is intertwined in all that we do to the Glory of God.
3. Eye to the future
Even as we remain here in a hurting and fallen world to obediently serve, we must remember there are far greater things ahead of us. For the believer in Christ two things are changed; our heart and our location.
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:3-5
And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:5
This is what awaits all who place their trust in the Life, Death and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!!!
Embrace Kingdom Life, Now and Forever!
Pastor Russ
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