Updated 9/2/2015

Kingdom Principle:  Kingdom Servants – love all regardless of color, creed, class or connections.            Kingdom Servants are People of Faith.

Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 Mark 7:24-37

I have said it often “It is not what you know, it is who you know” and this simple reality of the world. I have had doors open, opportunities given and privileges granted based on who I know. Yet – I do not let that determine my status in the Kingdom nor my value in this world. For in the Kingdom of God is granted unto all based on the work of the cross, and all ground there is level. However, even in the Kingdom it remains all about who you know – and the King of Kings is the only one you need to know.  I’m reminded of the video, “That’s my King – Do you know him?”  If you know the King, then your faith alone is placed in Him. If you place your faith in others or in your connections, or in your class, color or even creed – you may just find one day it is not the right fit.

The ground is level at the foot of the cross and there are no second-class citizens in the Kingdom of Heavens. This message was not what the Jews expected from their Messiah, and prior to Jesus this message was not presented by anyone in the world. Gentiles were second to Jews, the uncircumcised were second to the circumcised, women were second to men,  slaves were second to free, not to forget the barbarians and scythians (Galatians 3:26-28, Colossians 3:11). Jesus was not trying to impress the rulers of this world proclaiming the Kingdom of God and healing the sick. He was demonstrating a new set of principles.  As we learned over the last few weeks, Jesus was the very veil which was torn between the Kingdom of Heavens and the Earth – making all things new.  It was Jesus’ death that brought the spiritual truth of this tear into a physical reality. This is why Jesus was so offensive to the religious and political leaders of his day. Jesus followed a more perfect law or royal law prior to the full reality of the Kingdom being established here on earth. The law of the Kingdom which is found in the life of Jesus Christ fulfilled the written law, and would not fully realized until Jesus ascended and sent the Holy Spirit to dwell amongst humanity. (John 14:12-17, 16:7-11)Yet, today the Kingdom of the Heavens is to be here on Earth.  In the same way that we have looked at the body& soul in contrast to the spirit, last few week’s post) Jesus was directed by the Spirit rather than what was written on Stone tablets. And we too are to be directed by the Spirit. (Romans 2:28-29, 2 Cor. 3:4-6).

When we submit our body and soul unto our spirit and our spirit is directed by the Holy Spirit – we as servants of the Kingdom of God will show no favoritism before all people. We will be a people of Faith, where our faith in placed in Christ, not in any person, thing or value of this world. And if our faith is in Christ, then there is no reason to place a value or basis of opinion outside of God’s will.  If there was any hint of favoritism, (which there is not) it would turn the system of the world upside down. For it is the poor in spirit who inherit the Kingdom, it is hard for a rich man to enter the Kingdom, it is the stranger and alien who are considered the chosen, and it is the women who follow Jesus  everywhere and who see him first after resurrection and fall at his feet in worship. Yet nothing is impossible with faith God. ( Matt. 17:20, Heb. 11:6)

Are you part of the People of Faith?

People of faith are identified by where they put their faith – it is not seen based on your connections, or in your class, color or even creed, true faith is in Christ alone.  There is nothing you can do to get faith – because it is a gift from God – called Grace. Since then all who have faith received it in the same way – making not a one of them better than another.  The common factors of true faith are: Intimacy, Fecundity, and Ecstasy… (there will be future posts about topics)

Intimacy – There are no walls between you and Christ and all who are a people of faith. Where are you challenged to be the presence of Christ? In what type of situation (class, color, creed) does your own personal level of comfort get opposed by the presence of others? Intimacy is not produced on demand; rather it demands a life of devotion.

Fecundity- There is a reproduction of your faith in others, in which Christ is glorified and made known.  Are there certain people groups in which you are more inclined to favor? Are you more compassionate to someone who is poor, or thankful when some physically sick is healed verse emotionally sick, or do you opposed a certain religion over another?  Faith is not forced or created it is produced in you from above. You cannot force another to have faith, but your faith can be the force that someone else needs to grow.

Ecstasy- There is a joy and freedom in your expression of faith that cannot be taken away by anyone or anything of this world. What or who has the ability to side track you? Whose phone call will you take over another? If one person has a need are you more inclined to meet it rather than if it was another person? How is your purpose affected by those you are serving? Faith is not contained within you. It must be expressed and it requires you to respond… (read more of the book of James)You cannot act faithful if faith is not in you, but if faithfulness is in you, you cannot help but to act on it.