LIVING ONLY FOR HIS KINGDOM
“The reign of God is at hand!” –Matthew 10:7
St. John the Baptizer prefigured Christ’s coming by preaching: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 3:2, RSV-CE). Then Jesus preached: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17, RSV-CE). Finally, Jesus sent out His Church, including us, to “preach as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ ” (Mt 10:7, RSV-CE).
Our job and privilege in life is to communicate that:
- God offers us a new system of government: a monarchy; Jesus is the King of this kingdom.
- We must seek first His kingdom and everything else will be added to us (Mt 6:33).
- His kingdom is a matter of “justice, peace, and the joy that is given by the Holy Spirit” (Rm 14:17).
- His kingdom is manifested as His subjects “cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons” (Mt 10:8).
- His kingdom, unlike all other governments, will last forever (2 Sm 7:16; Lk 1:32-33).
- We must pray always for the coming of His kingdom in fullness (Mt 6:10).
- We must express our faith in Jesus as we give everything we have to enter His kingdom (Mt 13:44-46).
Are you in His kingdom? When did you decide to accept the invitation to enter His kingdom? Do you proclaim His kingdom? Do you have wounds to prove it? “Seek first His kingdom” (Mt 6:33, RSV-CE).
PRAYER: Father, may I live and die for Your kingdom.
PROMISE: “I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks.” –Hos 11:4
PRAISE: Randy, a college athlete, devoted several years of his life to dressing, grooming, and attending to the needs of his paralyzed roommate. The roommate, in turn, taught Randy how to have faith in the Lord.
