The reality of the kingdom

The Sermon on the Mount teaches us the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven, and as citizens of this kingdom our relationships are changed.  Instead of self-righteousness, we will actually experience life as we are covered by the righteousness of God through faith.  God’s righteousness changes how we view, think about and live our lives in relationship with God.  Instead of being bound by the law — and especially by the man-made loopholes in the law taught in the first century — we are freed to actually live out God’s righteousness which the law exposes. 

This changes how we relate to others.  And in the last two weeks we have seen how the citizens of heaven relate to others in our interpersonal relationships with wrongness and conflicts arise.  Even to the point that sometimes we have to walk away from those we desire to come to faith, but their attitudes and actions demonstrate antagonism or hatred toward the gospel and towards those who live and speak the gospel.  

Wild or feral dogs and swine/pigs usually travel in packs, herds or groups.  We must remember that because a mob mentality can cause individuals to act out in ways they never would when alone.  Our gracious living out our faith as image bearers can sometimes penetrate an individual’s wall of defensiveness when we have the chance to talk to them alone.  Think of the two thieves crucified on either side of Jesus; at one point, both of the thieves reviled Jesus, but eventually one came to trust Him. 

Remember that our attitude is not to be one of judgment and condemnation, as these are the purview of God alone.  Let us follow the lessons of Scripture in our conduct and association with others and, at the same time, be brokenhearted for their lostness and unwillingness to hear or consider the truth of the gospel.

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor