Hebrews 13:13-16
13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach.
14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
Contrary to the opinion of many, the Kingdom of God has not been revealed in the earth yet, and it will not until the Son of God returns to establish it. Rather the Kingdom of God came into this world in the vessel of Christ Jesus, and now resides throughout the earth in the vessels He has called out as His own, and filled with His Holy Spirit. All for the purpose of bringing glory unto Himself by manifesting His goodness through the lives of the redeemed.
As the redeemed of God, it is not up to us to go marching through the land boldly as the “Kings Kids”, chasing down the devil brashly and picking a fight with him. It is not ours to expect to live such greatly blessed lives in this earth, filled with every earthly blessing, so that the lost will jealously come into our kingdom. Nor is it even ours to be so nice and friendly to every person, that we can “love them into the kingdom”. Our part in this earthly life, when lived for the glory of Christ, is the complete rejection of all we once held dear, for that which is to come.
In Christ we have a blessed hope, and look forward to His return. We seek that which is to come, not that which is temporal. It is not about our best life now, nor is that the message we should preach. But it is a message that the Creator of the whole earth has given His life to secure a glorious eternity for those who believe. And if that belief is sincere, it will produce a willingness, or even a burning desire, to share in His death, suffering and reproach, that we may also share in His eternal life and glory.
Does that mean that as Christians, we should be ignorant of the world that surrounds us? Absolutely not! For as the slaves of righteousness we have now become in Him, we are called to lay down our lives for friend and foe alike. Blessing those who curse us, giving to those who rob us, and restoring those who deceive us. In the midst of the many tribulations that litter our path leading to eternal life, rather than self pity getting the better of us, rather we shall rejoice and offer praises unto our God. And after being hard pressed from all sides, we shall give to those around us until we have nothing left to give.
This is the life we are called to live, and this is the only life that can be lived by those who shall enter into His Kingdom on that Final Day.
Originally posted 2009-11-03 15:16:06. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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