Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Day 23: Kingdom Privileges



Reading: Psalm 14: 1-7

This Psalm expresses just how unrighteous and sinful everyone is. None of us deserves the grace and love that Christ pours out on us, but He does. We don't deserve the rights to His kingdom and to Him, and to ever do enough to earn our way there. Within this Psalm, David lists a couple of specific examples of corruption in humanity, both which are very important to grasp as we bask in the grace and love of Christ:
~ Denying God. When we don't even acknowledge God in our lives, it will be impossible to ever access Him and His kingdom. This would be like denying one of your good friends is your friend, and then later expecting that friend to treat you like a friend, giving you all the benefits friendship would. Not only is this ridiculous, but hypocritical.

~ Ignoring the poor. From this Psalm and from all of scripture in general, we can see just how deeply God cares for the poor. This is quite the command that He gives us, and He cares just as deeply as to whether or not we care for the poor. In fact, one of the reasons Christ destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah was because of their lack of caring for the poor. (Ezekiel 16:49) God has a heart and compassion for the poor. When we accept the grace of God, we gain His heart of compassion and love. We break for what breaks His heart. There is reason to question if we have that sincere heart that accepts God's grace. Works will not earn our way to God's kingdom. We see the how the thief on the cross next to Jesus was told that very night he would be in the kingdom. He didn't have time to thrive on works, but Jesus saw the sincere heart he had. Consider this as you assess your own heart.


Reading: Matthew 16:1-20

When Jesus asks the big question, "Who do you say I am?" Peter answers, taking the initiative to proclaim that Jesus is indeed the "Messiah, Son of the living God." Jesus blesses him and gives him the amazing responsibility of expanding His church. These are some pretty hefty rights to the kingdom, as Jesus goes on to say that whatever he forbids on earth, will be forbidden in heaven, or permitted on earth, permitted in heaven. Talk about power! But Jesus knew Peter's heart, and He knew His maturity. Jesus entrusted Peter, and later He grants the rest of His disciples these rights, as they continue to build up His church after His leaving.
As followers of Christ, and as a people who call ourselves followers of Christ, we are granted the same power and responsibility in expanding His church and kingdom. The book, Radical, by David Platt states that we are Plan A in expanding the kingdom of God and carrying His message to all the earth, there is no Plan B.
We can't afford to listen to what the world tells us, like the "yeast" of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The teachings of this world are deceptive and wasteful. True rights of expanding God's kingdom come with maturity and sincere hearts for the mission.


Reading: Genesis 45:1-47:12

We see the rest of Joseph's story play out as he finally comes forward to his brothers as to who he really is. The reaction that Joseph has is unexpected. I don't know about you, but if I were Joseph who finally made my identity clear to the brothers who sold me because they despised me, I would probably have some choice words for them, especially with the power I now had. This is precisely what sets Joseph apart in God's eyes. The trials he endured, and the maturity he displayed throughout were true proof that Joseph could be trusted by God to possess such power over a kingdom. God knew Joseph's heart, and the credit (or blame) for where Joseph ended up was passed to God. Joseph expresses this to his brothers, stating true testimony of the work God had done through him and through his brothers' wrong-doing. The forgiveness Joseph expresses is also very unexpected, especially as we read it from the point of view our society has.
When we see this amazing story of a man who went from the deepest pit, to the highest power, to the position to use it against the people responsible for releasing him from the family, you can't help but be in awe and respect of how God works in the strangest ways. He can truly see our hearts and how we handle situations that arise, and grant us keys to His kingdom.


What do you do with the rights and privileges that God has granted you? What are you doing to be an asset to the kingdom? What does the story of Joseph teach you about humility and maturity when it comes to doing the Lord's work?
I hope you can take these readings and use them to learn the true meaning of having the power and entitlement of Christ. When we abuse that power, God can easily snatch it away. Don't let the ways of this world sway you in how you conduct yourselves.

No comments:

Post a Comment