I think we try to make the Christian life far more complicated than it really is ... it comes natural to us. America is a nation of thinkers and doers. For that reason many are compelled by "tell me what to do, to make God pleased with me" ... "just show me what I need to do to make God happy with me."
But the Kingdom of God is not a Kingdom that is set up by rules... it is a Kingdom that is obeyed in the heart.
When we read the Sermon on the Mount (in Matthew, Chapters 5-7), we read a list of commands that are redefined by Jesus to define "what are the inner motivations of your heart."
In the Law, we read you shall not murder... but I tell you (Jesus talking), "Whoever says you 'good for nothing' shall be guilty."
In the Law, we read you shall not commit adultery ... but I tell you (Jesus talking), "Whoever looks at a woman with lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
In my opinion, Jesus is saying throughout the Sermon on the Mount: "It's not just enough that you just do the right things in this life... but rather, that the motivation of your heart be pure and from a place of love, respect and honor to others."
This fits later on, in the Gospel of John, where Jesus states very clearly: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
The Law of the Kingdom is fulfilled - and it is lived out - as we dedicate our lives to loving the person in front of us in this very moment... with the very same full-on love that Jesus shows you!
Love is the element that empowers spiritual gifts to have power and full meaning...
Love is the element that makes ministry effective and long lasting...
Love is the element that makes faith have the source of its being...
Just read about this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3...
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing..."
Love ... letting God's love flow through us... empowering us to love the person in front of us... is what the Kingdom of God is all about!
If I treat you with the love of God, I will not steal from you ... I will not lie to you... I will not harm you in any way...
You see: Love is the fulfillment of the Law!
God is love. So, as you let God's love motivate your heart in what you say - and do - and release through your heart today... the Kingdom of God will be empowered to bring change into each person you come in contact with...
And that, sounds like a marvelous way to live life!
But the Kingdom of God is not a Kingdom that is set up by rules... it is a Kingdom that is obeyed in the heart.
When we read the Sermon on the Mount (in Matthew, Chapters 5-7), we read a list of commands that are redefined by Jesus to define "what are the inner motivations of your heart."
In the Law, we read you shall not murder... but I tell you (Jesus talking), "Whoever says you 'good for nothing' shall be guilty."
In the Law, we read you shall not commit adultery ... but I tell you (Jesus talking), "Whoever looks at a woman with lust for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
In my opinion, Jesus is saying throughout the Sermon on the Mount: "It's not just enough that you just do the right things in this life... but rather, that the motivation of your heart be pure and from a place of love, respect and honor to others."
This fits later on, in the Gospel of John, where Jesus states very clearly: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:34-35).
The Law of the Kingdom is fulfilled - and it is lived out - as we dedicate our lives to loving the person in front of us in this very moment... with the very same full-on love that Jesus shows you!
Love is the element that empowers spiritual gifts to have power and full meaning...
Love is the element that makes ministry effective and long lasting...
Love is the element that makes faith have the source of its being...
Just read about this in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3...
"If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing..."
Love ... letting God's love flow through us... empowering us to love the person in front of us... is what the Kingdom of God is all about!
If I treat you with the love of God, I will not steal from you ... I will not lie to you... I will not harm you in any way...
You see: Love is the fulfillment of the Law!
God is love. So, as you let God's love motivate your heart in what you say - and do - and release through your heart today... the Kingdom of God will be empowered to bring change into each person you come in contact with...
And that, sounds like a marvelous way to live life!
RSS Feed