Markets
and governments fall – but God’s Kingdom remains always…
What
will make the ultimate difference in your life?
The
value of the US dollar, the price of oil, the stability of your family, the
Church? ...Or the Kingdom of God?
For
Christians the Kingdom of God is of overriding importance. When we understand
the “Kingdom perspective” of Jesus, it will impact on our family life – a
central responsibility, on financial and other security – an important priority
- and on the way we serve Christ in his Church and spread the Word of salvation
– a key principle for Kingdom people!
1.
Kingdom focus takes away our concerns and set our priorities right.
Jesus
said: (Matthew 6:31-33) So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all
these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first
his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as
well.
Kingdom
people’s focus shifts to the ideal of righteous living in all areas of life in
obedience to our sovereign King, seeking to proclaim that the Kingdom of God
has come and promoting the justice of Jesus wherever we are and in whatever we
do.
2.
Kingdom people move their focus away from earthly success and recognition
towards eternity.
Jesus
said: (Matthew 6:19-21) “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,
where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up
for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and
where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also."
The
reality about “storing up treasures in heaven” is that investing in the kingdom
of Christ in the here and now, requires sacrifice in the here and now to bring
it about! Jesus sacrificed his life for us, and we are to sacrifice our lives
to live his lifestyle and the lifestyle of his Kingdom. We must 'lose our
lives' for Jesus. This will warrant Christlikeness in our family life, job and
finances, care for others, church participation and our contribution towards a
stable and prosperous society (i.e. politics, etc.).
The
Kingship of Christ and a life focussed on serving him, do not allow for
cynicism and pessimism, but it relies in everything on the almighty Christ
who promised to remain with us always, bringing to fruition his eternal Kingdom
of peace.
3.
Kingdom people place the honour of Jesus and the glory of God before
anything else.
Jesus
said (Matthew 16:25-7) For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but
whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if
he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s
glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he
has done.
Such
is the Kingdom focus of Kingdom people: By submitting ourselves to live for
Christ (losing our lives for his sake!), we find the real life: a life of
spiritual joy, satisfaction and love, healthy families, responsible and
balanced seeking of career and financial goals and an exciting vision for the
Church - far beyond anything which the world offers and can never guarantee.
Shall
we learn not to put our trust in the markets, the “world leaders”, the
strongest political movements – or any man made ideology, doctrine and
structure? How many times does the ungodly culture, who betrays and denies
Jesus, must fail us, before we will start to live only for Jesus, our King, and
for his Kingdom?
The
Word says: (Psalm 146: 3 – 6) Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal
men, who cannot save. When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on
that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed
is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the
Maker of heaven and earth.
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