For the next ten days I want us to be challenged by the radical ideas of Jesus in the “Kingdom of God”. This was the passion of Jesus; it was the place where the radical lifestyle of the Kingdom citizen would be exhibited. It was Revolutionary! It was a New Decalogue! It was the first salvo fired against the self-righteousness of the world and established religion. Jesus said in effect in one message what He would say explicitly by his living. He cut across all ethical systems. He reveals the secret of true happiness. His family and everyone else thought He was crazy. These teachings are commonly called “The Beatitudes”. I like to call them the “be-attitudes” because these words describe a state of being.
The first one is Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” “To be congratulated” are those who recognize their spiritual poverty. This is the root of all that follows. Pride is the root of all sin; poverty of spirit is the root of all virtue. We must be aware of our own spiritual poverty and trust entirely in God’s mercy and help. Congratulations to those who wake up to their sin and then, in looking to Jesus, wake up to righteousness. When we realize that the riches of Heaven are inexhaustible through Jesus, we rely entirely on him to deliver us. It is so hard to detach ourselves from the things of the world and attach ourselves wholly to Jesus.
Notice that “Kingdom citizenship” becomes a present possession and not just “pie in the sky”. Not a pious hope of what shall be but congratulations on what is being experienced now. It is a radical experience to be released from depending on the material and to find one’s first joy in the things of the spirit. This is a life of real joy, joy that is independent of chance or condition.
When you experience and receive he gift of new life as a Kingdom citizen, the world can never take it away from you.
“O God, you have thrown down the gauntlet again today and dared us to
become citizens of Your Kingdom. By Your grace, we will join You. Amen”
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2 comments:
Mr Chilton,
My name is Devin. I am writing to you because my great- grandmother, Amelia Wharton, formerly, Amelia Hunter was a leader of the Victory Leader's Band with the Church of God. The church was located on Ferry Road in Stafford, VA. She saw your add in the Free Lance- Star and thought that you had been one of her "VLB's." She asked me to contact you to find out if you are the same Charlie Chilton.
Thank you,
Devin Hunter
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