Are You Useful For The Kingdom Of God?
Good Morning Friends,
Would you be recognized as one of Jesus’ disciples through your actions? Today’s devotional and scripture hopefully gives us some insight into honoring those who have left a legacy in us, those who have died but given us so much before we could repay them. The answer to this dilemma and to honoring Jesus is found in His command that we love one another. Honoring the how of the love is the tough part. That is where the concept of paying it forward comes into play…the concept of asking that a good turn or debt be repaid by having it done or paid to others instead. Jesus’ example on this is consistent…He loved His disciples as a servant, washing their feet. He died for the sins of the world and we cannot pay that back. But in response to this unpayable debt we can love one another. Yes it is about love and glory but not perhaps looking over our shoulder. Notice that the focus is forward. As further guidance Jesus also said, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” You may remember about Lot’s wife and the severe consequence for looking back. Even a glance is deadly. You cannot plow a straight field if you look back. You cannot sail a straight course if you look back. You cannot love with usefulness unless you are looking forward. There is absolutely no reward for the Kingdom in a look back for a pay back. So you have a choice on your focus…Past of Future… Pay Back or Pay Forward. Are You Useful For The Kingdom Of God?
Scripture: This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12 (NRSV)
I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13: 34-35 (NRSV)
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62 (NRSV)
When they had brought them outside, they said, “Flee for your life; do not look back or stop anywhere in the Plain; flee to the hills, or else you will be consumed.”
Genesis 19:17 (NRSV)
If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world—therefore the world hates you.
John 15:18-19 (NRSV)
Message: Yesterday’s children’s chat at worship was about aliens. The youth had a frightening picture of aliens as other worldly creature. But then the dictionary definition was shared which reads as follows: “a foreigner, especially one who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where they are living.” Then it was pointed out that we are all aliens and our home is ultimately heaven and then by implication that our only identity card is the love we share. Friends, we are creatures of love and yes it is otherworldly. Love, genuine love is the path to happiness and the path to heaven. It is not an easy path and requires effort. It is not an app you can download. You have to live into it. Obedient and loving actions in the present honor the spirit of Jesus’ as we learn to forgive our debtors and give to Christ by giving to others. Friends, grace is alien to most of us. In a world based on consumerism it is hard to comprehend that love is free and not something to be owned. Love happens because we live into it. Let your daily program be works of mercy and acts of love with a focus on the future. In this way you will be recognized as disciples of Jesus. In this way you will be useful for the Kingdom. In this way you will find your way home and your joy will be complete.
Pray we realize that every Christian is an outsider- on a journey…an alien at least in a spiritual sense. Pray that every race, tribe, nation, and language, stand before the throne and before the Lamb having expressed love for God’s glory in this life. Pray we realize we are sojourners on a quest seeking such a homecoming. Pray we have confidence, but not get too comfortable with this life, for we are strangers and aliens amongst strangers and aliens. Pray we enjoy the challenge of the journey. Pray we grow in the desire to love others and to share and receive a heavenly born affection. Pray we become useful by becoming lovers of life for God’s glory.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 