As such, what are our attributes; how are we identified as being His representatives? Matthew 5 through 7 give an all encompassing picture.
We must be poor in spirit; not consumed with ourselves, arrogant, heady or head strong. Even though we mourn at times, we know we will be comforted. We are blessed when we are meek, not proud. Although we are poor in heart we are confident that we will see God in the near future.
As peacemakers we are called children of God. We do not seek confrontation, arguments, or turmoil; we live in a kingdom where He gives peace. Not the peace of the world which is temporal, but eternal peace that is available to us now. When reviled, persecuted and spoken evil of for Christ's sake, and we will be, we obtain the kingdom of heaven; even now.
We always hunger and thirst after righteousness (our desire is to do what is right). We tend to be merciful because we know that mercy has been shown to us by Him. As His ambassadors we are lights shining in great darkness; a city on a hill that cannot be overthrown. We are the salt of the earth; preserving what remains of righteousness. The enemy cannot ruin our savor as we stay continually in Him.
All of our good works bring glory to the Father. Regarding the Law, our Saviour met all of the requirements of the Law on our behalf. Therefore, no matter what the enemy says to our mind, there IS NO condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. That is the key-stay in Christ Jesus.
As we display His kingdom attributes others will follow; they see Christ in us. As we lead, instruct and pray for those drawn to Him through our witness we become great in the Kingdom of God. One lost soul won for God, in His eyes, is worth the weight of the entire world. Do not get discouraged if only one comes; in God's eyes this is of great, eternal value.
We strive to treat others with kindness and gentleness; for so did Christ when He was here among us. This can only happen as we yield to the Spirit of Christ working in us. Do not hold grudges. Have a clean pure heart. As the priests in the time of the Temple worship in the days of old, we must cleanse ourselves daily through the washing of the Word, prayer and praise. The LORD inhabits the praise of His people. Need more of Him? Praise Him more!
Psalm 50:23 " Who so offereth praise glorifieth Me; and to Him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God."
Psalm 100:4 " Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless his name."
Do I want to know God as well as King David did? Look at what David wrote ~
Psalm 119:164 " Seven times a day do I praise Thee because of Thy righteous judgments." And Psalm 35:28 " My tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long!"
Sure signs of His ambassador's are their willingness to pray for their enemies. They give willingly expecting nothing in return. They do good to those who hate them. Thus, we truly belong to our Father in Heaven. Christ is our example. Even God sends His good rain on both the just and unjust.
Do not give to be seen by others; give where there is need without thought of repayment. Our reward is in the heavens. Have a place of prayer, a closet, a room, a place in park or wood; Jesus disappeared often to be alone with the Father. And Jesus was God!
Pray as Christ instructed; Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done. Not only to come at some future date, but Thy Kingdom come now! The phrase in the Greek for Thy Kingdom come means to appear, to enter, NOW. Thy will be done, NOW, in my actions and in my situation.
We forgive freely, as we have been forgiven. We show mercy to others and will be shown mercy in the same degree by our Father. We lay up treasure in Heaven. Where our treasure is, so is our heart. We keep our eye single, clear, focused. Like a horse with blinders on, we are not distracted by our surroundings. We keep our eyes on Christ.
Do not fret over our life. We are in His hands. He holds our very breath in His hand. Do not fret over food, shelter or clothing. The One who feeds the little birds and clothes the grasses and flowers knows how to feed, shelter and cloth His children.
Seek the Kingdom of God first and foremost. The Father knows what we need today, tomorrow and ten years from now if Jesus tarries a little while longer. Tomorrow will take care of itself. He controls all things; stay in Him.
The Kingdom of Heaven is within you! (Luke 17:21) It is in the here an now! Christ's Kingdom is not of this world, yet, His spiritual Kingdom is here and now in us. There is great authority available to us, in the now. Mountains of deceit, unbelief and sickness have to be moved. Satan has to flee as we speak in the name and authority of the One we represent. The measure we have of Christ is in the measure which we yield to Him and His Spirit.
He promises, Ask, and it shall be given unto you. Everyone that asks, receives. Every one that seeks, finds. Obeying and living by these commands is a straight gate. It is not wide and broad. But ours is a gate of great reward and great effect to advancing His Kingdom. Bare good fruit. When He trims and prunes the unfruitful branches, and there will be some, yield to His pruning. It is for our own good. We are known by the fruit we bare.
In closing, when I was traveling with the government in a previous job, we stayed in constant contact with our points of contact in Washington DC. Every event, every stop, every question was communicated between the two parties. Although thousands of miles away, we were always in touch to receive instruction. Prayer works the same way. Our line of communication with the Kingdom of God is through prayer and His word.
Keep the lines of communication clear and open. Just as I was not a citizen of the nation's in which I was traveling, we are not citizens of this world but of a Kingdom above. Do not lose touch!
Keep the line of communication clear and open.
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