Discovering what love is one day at a time
There are two separate spiritual realities that exist. There is the Kingdom of Heaven, ruled and reigned by Jesus Christ our Lord; and the way of the world, full of wrath, which is ruled by the enemy of our souls, the devil. Every second of every day we get to choose which one we will voluntarily be committed to. There are many ways of thinking in the world's system, but just for this example, I give you three words: compare, compete and conquer.
In the world’s way of thinking we compare ourselves with one another, we look at each to see the similarities and differences and rate ourselves or others as good or bad, better or worse. We compete for a “reward” or to be noticed or accepted or chosen over someone else. We strive for the reward. We conquer; we take control through use of force to defeat using great effort. Yet the Kingdom of Heaven is so significantly different. In the Kingdom of Heaven the three words to contrast the world’s three words might be, communicate, celebrate, and community. In the Kingdom of Heaven’s way of thinking, we communicate with one another, trying to understand one another’s perspective even if we do not agree. We celebrate one another. We give value and honor to everyone, not on what they can do, but who they are. We are all created in His image; He honors, accepts, values and loves us, therefore we do the same to others. We are a community; we are connected through common interests, unified and linked together. We are joint-owners, therefore we participate fully to bring blessing not only to others, but we reap the benefits as well. In the world’s way we live by our own effort, and in the Kingdom, we live by faith in the Son of God who died and gave His life for us. Because there is such great contrast between the two kingdoms, we must recognize that we can’t have it both ways. We must purpose to live one way. We eventually will voluntarily bind ourselves to, or invest ourselves in the commitment to self…or to others. Each one of us has to make that decision for themselves. There is a war for our souls that battles our commitment to the world or the Kingdom of Heaven. God, by His grace and mercy lovingly exposes our grip on any worldly way of thinking. Because of His great love for us, He allows us to fail miserably by the world's standards, and by His. He exposes our sin, and allows our eyes to see the rottenness of it. Our enemy, the devil, will sneakily whisper lies and thoughts to us, to draw us into sin and cover or hide our ways. We must earnestly contend, for the faith we have in Christ. Salvation and strength and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before God day and night, has been cast down. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives unto the death. Revelation12:10-11
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AuthorI have been married to my wonderful husband for 29 years. We have two young men ages 25 and 20.. This blog is somewhat of a journal and attempt for me to remind myself of my purpose and invite others to join me in keeping an eternal perspective as we move through each day. Archives
May 2023
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