5:123 – It’s Kingdom time

#faithbites #faithjourney kingdom

Intro

Today at work, I walked in on a conversation about God, his kingdom, and how we need to change how we are acting. The conversation changed into how we, the collective we, and churches in general, have lost their way. (Not all churches, but many). We’ve lost the Gospel and the whole story of Christ and focus on a few pages or phrases. We’ve forgotten that the whole story means love, forgiveness, and salvation. While God is perfect and faith is divine, religion and churches are human creations and flawed. It’s time for God’s kingdom to wake up and work towards what he wants us to be: love.

Questions

• Do you consider yourself part of God’s kingdom?
• If so, what are you willing to do to advance God’s plan?
• If you advance God’s plan, how do you do it?

Scripture

• Matthew 6:33 – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
• 2 Peter 1:10-11 – Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
• Matthew 7:21 – Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Reflection

We have seen when people fall and use the name of God in vain. Churches have fallen and taken people along with them. Many have tied their faith to their political stances while others blindly believe what they are told. None of these truly advance the kingdom of God. When we don’t share God with love and harmony, when we treat our brothers and sisters, and yes we are all brothers and sister, we’ve lost God’s message. It’s time for us to rise up in love and compassion to help spread the Gospel of Christ with those who want to hear it. It’s time for us to reform our churches.

As we close, remember what Jesus tells us to do is easy: Love God and love your neighbor. We aren’t here to be judge, jury, and executioner, but rather to be friends, confidants, and supporters.

Prayer

Father God, we often miss the mark when we worship you and try to spread your Gospel. We let our own selfish aims get the better of us. We use your word to try to coerce people toward our point of view. For that, we are sorry. Help us to instead act in love, kindness, and Grace. Let us use your Son as an example of how to change hearts and minds. Let us be warriors of love. In your name, Amen.