The Kingdom Way

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8

Lord, I want to be a Kingdom liver,
Where my actions match what You say;
I want to be a Kingdom thinker,
Seeking God's will every day.

So what is a Kingdom liver?
It's putting others before you;
It's knowing the will of God in your life
And then following through.

It's also conveying the Fruits of the Spirit
Through a moral life;
To be set apart for the Lord,
And not cause others strife.

And what is a Kingdom thinker?
It's a redirection of our thoughts;
To be joyful and content with our life,
Instead of wanting lots.

It's being thankful for each day,
To be in constant prayer with Him,
It's seeing people through God's eyes
Instead of judging them.

Yes, I want to be a Kingdom thinker,
Having the mindset of my Lord;
Yes, I want to be a Kingdom liver,
 An imitator of His Word.

Have you ever heard a sermon that was so powerful it was life-changing? That was what the Sermon on the Mount was for those people Jesus was speaking to. It was the announcement of a revolution. He was telling them the Kingdom of God begins on earth, and they are the chosen people to spread the good news! Jesus was preaching to a crowd who were minorities, living in an oppressed community. They were desperate for a way out of their situation.

He started out with the Beatitudes, circumstances they could relate to. Each situation He flipped to make it positive. Poor in spirit? Yours is the kingdom of heaven! Mourning? You will be comforted. Feeling oppressed? You will inherit the earth! Seeking justice? It will be fulfilled! He gave them value. He saw them. (Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8)

Then, Jesus showed them how to be a kingdom liver. He told them to be salt and light. ( You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world… Matthew 5:13, 14) Both elements were easily relatable to them. Salt was an intergral part of their lives. Among the most important uses was for preserving food and fighting off infection. He was telling them as salt, they could bring life to others. As light, they would be reflecting God’s Word in their actions. They were familiar with Old Testament scriptures referring to light. (“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness;I will take hold of your hand.I will keep you and will make youto be a covenant for the peopleand a light for the Gentiles,to open eyes that are blind,to free captives from prisonand to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. Isaiah 42:6-7) (Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105)

We are salt when we live out the Fruits of the Spirit. (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galations 5:22, 23) We sprinkle others with love when we care for them. We sprinkle others with joy when we encourage them. We sprinkle others with peace when we seek to get along. We sprinkle others with patience when we show empathy. We sprinkle others with kindness when we put others before ourselves. We sprinkle others with goodness when we help out a stranger. We sprinkle others with faithfulness when we keep our word. We sprinkle others with gentleness when we comfort them. We sprinkle others with self-control when we take time to listen.

We are light when our actions reflect God. Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, we reflect the Son’s light! We are light when we share our testimony. Sharing our story helps people see that God loves us even in our sinful nature and desires to bring us to Him. (For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10) We are light when we shine scriptures to one in need. Someone may be in a dark place and just needs an encouraging scripture to shed light on the situation. (Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

We need to be kingdom thinkers, too. (Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2) When our hearts are set on God, our mind will follow. Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, find joy in what you do have. There will always be someone better off than you. But, there will always be someone worse off than you, too. Be content in your circumstances. (The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him. Psalm 28:7)

I encourage you to find ways to be salt and light this week! Be open opportunities to sprinkle your salt on those around you. Be God’s light in someone’s darkness. Be a kingdom thinker and liver!

Lord, help me to be salt and light to those around me. Give me courage to sprinkle the fruits of the Spirit wherever I go. Give me words of wisdom to bless someone in need. Help me to live out the kingdom way. Amen