DAILY HOPE DEVOTIONAL: JULY 19 LIVING KINGDOM LIFESTYLES ON EARTH (3) SCRIPTURES: Luke 17: 20 – 21; Matthew 13: 38
We had parts one and two of these devotionals on April 21 and 22. Some readers demanded more explanations or clarity on Christians living Kingdom Lifestyles on earth. Hence we have these parts three and four discussions on why Christians should live Kingdom Lifestyles here on earth. Christians are supposed to exhibit unique lifestyles akin to God’s patterns and instructions. Every Christian believes self as a child of God who resides in Heaven. Belonging to God’s family, each Christian is expected to live lives that are replicas of what are obtainable in Heaven. In the centuries past, Christians portrayed lifestyles which drew people closer to God and Jesus Christ. There seems to be a shift in the paradigm these days. Many Christians are seen living lifestyles contrary to that lived by the Apostles and other Jesus’ disciples in the past.
No matter what we think of modern theories of faith and grace, we are bound to live lifestyles permitted by the Bible. One Henry Trocino in his presentation on “Living On Earth.” As Citizens of Heaven” illustrated how different creatures were assigned to their kingdoms by their appearances. He said a certain King went to a school and asked kids some questions thus: “What kingdom does stone belong?” The kids said stone belong to mineral kingdom. He asked again: “What kingdom does flower belong?” The kids answered flower belong to vegetable kingdom. The king further asked the kids: “What kingdom does bird belong?” The children answered, the kingdom of animal. The king asked the kids of the kingdom they think he belongs. The answer is known by all of us. He belongs to the human kingdom. Naturally every man and woman belongs to God’s Kingdom who created them as humans after His image and likeness.
Christians are Heavenly family members and as such, have no other lifestyles to live on the earth than that of God’s Kingdom. Jesus Christ told the Pharisees that the Kingdom of God is within them (Luke 17: 21). Here the Pharisees were asking of where is the Kingdom of God. He told them that He speaking within them is the Kingdom of God. Today, His teachings and God’s words are in our hearts. Therefore, the Kingdom of God lives inside us. We must live the teachings and the words. In explaining the Parable of the Weeds, Jesus said the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom (Matt. 13: 38). Today’s devotional opens up how Christians must live God’s Kingdom Lifestyles here on earth. Living God’s Kingdom Lifestyles should not be different from those lifestyles God’s Words approved. We are in the world to please God and neither ourselves nor other human beings. In the next series, we will see what we will gain when living God’s Kingdom Lifestyles as explained by Jesus in His Sermon on the Mount.
PRAYER:
FATHER, you are the one who chose me to become a Christian. You have a unique Kingdom Lifestyles for me to live here on earth. Make me know them and act them in Jesus name.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
As a Christian, I cannot live any other lifestyles different than what God wants. I take upon my self godliness and virtuous living today.
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