The Wisdom of God’s Kingdom!
PERSPECTIVE MATTERS...
with Pastor Philip Lowe
26 “For consider your calling, brothers [and sisters]: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." ~ 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 ESV
The wisdom of God’s kingdom is often perceived as foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) because the values of the kingdom, and the definition of wisdom within the kingdom, differ from the way the broken world works. In the Kingdom of God, Jesus is king of an upside-down kingdom in which the first will be last and the last will be first (Matthew 19:20; Matthew 20:16). Greatness in God’s kingdom is not defined by power, but by service (Mark 10:42-45; John 13:1-20). In God’s kingdom, people who may be marginalized elsewhere, are blessed with God’s favor and welcomed into a place of belonging (Matthew 5:3-11; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 7:36-50; John 4). In God’s kingdom, people lose their life to save it (Matthew 10:39; 16:25; Mark 8:35). More unusual still is the fact that in Jesus’ kingdom the king himself does not call the people to do anything He has not already done on their behalf. Jesus, the king, gave up His privileges and status to serve people.
“… Christ Jesus… though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” ~ Philippians 2:5-8
Jesus gave up His status in order to become human. As a human, He served. Jesus served others, washing their feet, healing their bodies, casting out demons, and giving them new life. Ultimately, He served by His sacrifice on the cross, setting humanity free from the power of sin and death and establishing a new way of life. In this new way of life, this new kind of kingdom, not only can people live under His rule of freedom, grace, and wholeness, but also can serve like the king by extending the wisdom of His kingdom to the world, bringing hope and healing to people and communities. When followers of Jesus serve their families, neighbors, coworkers, and communities, they advance the kingdom. When followers of Christ form relationships with marginalized people and advocate for justice on their behalf, they announce the kingdom. When bosses who serve Jesus lead their employees by serving them, they bring the kingdom. When hungry people are fed in the name of Jesus, the kingdom comes. When kingdom citizens serve like Jesus served, love like Jesus loved, and give like Jesus gave, God’s kingdom reigns and His will is done on earth just as it is done in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
The Kingdom of God is here. Jesus is near. There is still more to come, though. The Kingdom of God is both already and not yet. Life in the kingdom has been initiated, but not fully realized. Ultimately, Jesus will return, and the restoration of this world to the wisdom of God’s design will be complete. Jesus will give people new bodies; heaven and earth will come together as a new heaven and a new earth. The Kingdom of God will reign completely as God dwells with people and reigns with justice, grace, mercy, wisdom, and beauty. Everything will be fully made right.
So remember, in spite of what may or may not be going on in the kingdoms of this world, if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are a citizen of a Kingdom that cannot be shaken; you are the child of a King with no limitations! Therefore, while living in this world, hold fast to your Kingdom perspective because Perspective Matters...
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