Good Morning Everyone,

Wow! We’re all past Christmas now. 2010 is upon us! I trust you all had a nice time (and are having a nice time) during the holidays. I apologize for not writing an email last week. I was out of town and out of my usual routine. I thought about writing early to send it on time, but I wanted to have my mind cleared of holiday prep and whatnot.

Did you all remember the reason for the season? Good! 😉

Well, this morning I want to conclude our study on the Beatitudes from our Lord’s sermon on the mount. A couple of weeks ago, we looked at the last one. Let’s review the scriptures:

Matthew 5:1-10
Seeing the crowds, He (Jesus) went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened up His mouth and taught them saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Over the past several weeks, we looked into these beatitudes in greater detail to see how they show us both the progression to God’s kingdom and what kingdom citizens looks like. There is only one proper way into the kingdom of God. Once someone is on the right path, then they progress and exhibit the traits of a kingdom citizen.

Assuming you think about spiritual matters, the first step is recognizing you have nothing to offer God to make peace with Him. You are poor in spirit. In fact we all come into this world alienated from God and are sentenced to eternal damnation. As Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden and forfeited their dominion of the earth to Satan, so we are consequently born into this dominion of Satan and are his subjects. We remain God’s enemies until, by God’s grace, we recognize our hopelessly wicked and sinful condition against the backdrop of His holiness and righteous requirements, and repent and call on the name of Christ for salvation from hell.

John 6:37
All that (God) the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.

When God transfers the punishment of your sins to Christ’s atoning work on the cross, you are justified and become a citizen of God’s kingdom!

Colossians 1:13-14
For He (God) rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Oh how grateful, better yet, joyful a kingdom citizen is to have been redeemed. And the sins that we once loved we now despise, for they are such evil toward our loving Redeemer. With our entrance into the kingdom, we begin the long path of sanctification… full of hope and joy, and yet mourning over our momentary lapses into sin, our succumbing to temptations and their subsequent transgressions.

Ephesians 5:8
… for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light…

Contemplating all that Christ has done for them, kingdom citizens become meek (gentle) toward others, knowing by no merit on their own, it was but the gentle graciousness of God that saved them. These new creatures in Christ have a new nature and perish the thought of being a cause for stumbling in someone else. Those who have been set free from the bondage of sin don’t want to muddy up the waters of their witness, either to offend a new babe in the faith or so as to draw unbelievers to Christ.

1^st Corinthians 8:9
But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

Part of the new nature is a profound love of Christ. We willingly give everything we are to Him and His purposes and His will. Knowing God’s will becomes top priority in life, for kingdom citizens long to please the Lord. This insatiable desire for righteousness compels us to gladly plumb the depths of God’s word… to know and do His revealed will. Why else are we left on earth rather than taken to heaven?!!!

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Growing in spiritual maturity by the working of the Holy Spirit in the kingdom citizen, such lofty qualities as mercy toward others blossom forth. Oh how blessed is mercy, where the pain experienced by others is felt, and love compels us to somehow alleviate that pain. Likewise, retaliation for personal offenses is not pursued, but kindness is given in return. Watch now and see how the believer becomes more like Christ.

Romans 12:15-16
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Growing in spiritual maturity has the net effect of decreasing the frequency of sin in the life of the kingdom citizen. Old sinful habits are forsaken; old wicked thought patterns are cleansed from the mind, and the pursuit of holiness takes its place. A clean and pure conscience is a personal treasure to be guarded at all costs. Though a kingdom citizen is now a foreigner in Satan’s domain on earth, the dust of sin can still collect on their feet as they walk in the world. Frequent and consistent communion and fellowship with Jesus Christ washes away that filth.

1^st John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

With such kindness and gentleness, a kingdom citizen walking by the Spirit exemplifies the character of Christ. Being right with God and being right within yourself has the amazing but joyously simple result of being right with others. Pursuing peace in all circumstances comes naturally to the kingdom citizen. Life is too precious and time is too short to commit any time to things that don’t last.

1^st Peter 1:22-23
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.

Now if the mature kingdom citizen’s life is glorifying God and projecting such a witness for the gospel, that unbelievers may notice and be drawn to Christ, who do you think will take notice and get upset? Who do you think despises true believers? Who wants to trip up the well-walker? The Lord Christ promises persecution to his followers. Why? Never forget that the true Christian has separated from the ways of the world to follow Christ, and thereby becomes an offense to the Prince of the Power of the Air, namely Satan.

1^st Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.

And so I ask, (if you read all this) are you a kingdom citizen?

Have you yet realized by your sinful nature, you are poor in spirit? Have you recognized your sins anger God? And knowing this, have you turned from the broad way (the way of the world) to seek the narrow way (faith in Christ) into the kingdom?

How is your relationship to God? Is Jesus precious to you? Do you long not to grieve the Holy Spirit? Or do you want to share stories of God’s blessings? Do you want to talk shop? I love to talk shop. 🙂 Please know I am always available to talk!

In closing, I pray that if you know you’re not a kingdom citizen, you’ll seek God’s mercy and forgiveness. And I pray that if you are a kingdom citizen, you’ll consistently walk by the Spirit, progressing in spiritual maturity, bearing spiritual fruit for God’s glory.

Thank you for considering God’s word. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes! (Romans 1:16).

 **Comments/ questions/ testimonies/ objections most encouraged!

Dear Lord, thank you for this time to consider Your word and Your ways. May our thoughts, words, and deeds bring You glory… and glory to You alone. –Amen

Peace,
Jim