MUSINGS ON THE KINGDOM - PAST, FUTURE AND PRESENT

KINGDOM PRESENT

As we enter a new year, a new decade, it seems appropriate that we major in on the foundation of the kingdom, past, future and present, and that is SACRIFICIAL LOVE. Love that costs! Love that often hurts! Love that puts others before ones self!

While women can grasp this concept most easily, for it can be related to the maternal instinct found in the bearing and bringing up of a family. Mums sacrifice much for their kids. When we misbehave our Mum still loves and cares for us. We take it for granted. We may well abuse her love, but she still loves us!

Being a man though, I can't really understand this in a truly personal way. For it is not inbuilt into a man's psyche as it is in a woman. That is simply reality.

So how can I, as a man, understand what God requires of me? I have battled with this over the years. I know all about the theory of 'agape love' but it hasn't necessarily implanted itself within me! How can I truly understand and apply these principles to my life?

For me, the answer has come through the concept of servanthood. Men can somewhat understand what it means to be a servant, even if we don't want to become one! Throughout most of my working life I have been a boss, not a worker (although I work harder than most 'workers'!) in the classic definition of the word. However I can understand the job, the role of a servant as it applies in the world. And gradually, the Holy Spirit has been ingrafting some of these behaviours into me. It is a long and ongoing process, I can assure you! But it is one I can understand! Jesus was the ultimate servant, sacrificing His life for yours and mine. As Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years beforehand!

13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. 14 Just as there were many who were appalled at him— his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness— 15 so will he sprinkle many nations, and kings will shut their mouths because of him. For what they were not told, they will see, and what they have not heard, they will understand. (Isaiah 52:13-15)

And we are to follow His example.

26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-8)

May the Lord help us both to receive the full revelation, understanding and application of the practical love of servanthood so that His kingdom may be built upon the earth - now.

(Continued next week)

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