In each of our 2017 family meetings we would read Psalm 27. The core of this Psalm is to have a singular focus on seeking God.
For 2018 we will continue our practice of turning to the Bible and seeking God during our family meetings. Our primary focus will be to “seek first the kingdom” from Matthew 6:33. Since this will be the focus for my home, my posts through 2018 will align with this as well.The Kingdom of God isn’t America.
I find myself spending quite a bit of time thinking about my dual citizenship in both the Kingdom of God and the United States of America.
As an American, I love my country. I want the best for our citizens, and our nation. I have a strong sense of gratitude for those who:
- Fight our enemies to keep our land safe and free
- Protect our communities
- Educate our children
- Work to provide:
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- fair and competitive employment opportunities
- shelter and security for their families
- health and provision for the citizens
- Give to help those in need
- Build our infrastructure for everything from water to travel
- Manage local, state and federal budgets
- Serve the public as a government official
While I am grateful for these freedoms, I am not naive. I know our country could do better at each of these. But, this blog is not about the US government or the US economy.
The first difference that stands out to me between the US government and the Kingdom of God is the concept and structure of government itself.
Gods Kingdom is a theocratic monarchy.
The Kingdom of God is a government ruled by God (theocracy) as King (monarchy).
Understand, I have no desire to turn America into a theocratic monarchy. What I want to do is to live my life first as a citizen of the Kingdom of God.
It occurred to me that the US foundation was to be a government “of, for and by the people”. In many ways this was to get away from the potential (or real) tyranny of a monarchy. For much of my life I had a cynical view of monarchies. Recently, I had to come to terms with something very real in my relationship to God.
Gods Kingdom is a monarchy.
The one thing that makes God’s monarchy different than every monarchy the earth has ever seen is very simple.
Jesus is the King of Gods Kingdom.
This means I do not have a tyrannical ruler, or a wicked slave master. I do not have a ruler who is short on funds, or has limited property. My King is the author of science, philosophy, and truth. My King has seen beyond the expanse of our universe and still knows the number of hairs on my head. My King is a supreme judge, overseeing every case with righteousness, grace and truth, providing limitless mercy and administering justice with unquestionable fairness. My King has an extensive army and will wage war in righteousness and justice alone.
My King loves me!
The Kingdom of God is extremely local. It is so local that it is within a single person. And because of that, my King knows me. But, my King doesn’t just know me…He loves me. He invites me to His table. In fact, it isn’t just me that my King loves.
My King loves you!
The Kingdom of God is extremely universal. There is no place where God does not have complete Kingship. This means that there is not a place where God isn’t King. The challenge that many have is that they simply do not know who the King is. Whether you are an active member of the citizenship of heaven or you are the most heathen of heathens the earth has ever seen, the Kingdom of God is right here offering love, mercy, freedom and protection for you.
Join me this year as I, and my family, “seek first the Kingdom of God.”
Let’s seek God’s Kingdom first!
For the month of January I will primarily be looking at a few of the “Kingdom” references in the “Sermon on the Mount” found in Matthew chapters 5-7. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read through these verses in the next week.