Kingdom Perspective

What is kingdom perspective?  Does behavior matter?

Sometimes I like to get a clearer definition of something before I address it.  So I looked up the words “kingdom” and “perspective” in the Webster’s dictionary.

The definition I liked best for kingdom is:  “the realm in which God’s will is fulfilled”.  The first two definition were 1) kingship 2) a politically organized community or major territorial unit having a monarchical form of government headed by a king or queen

The definitions for Perspective 1) archaic “an optical glass” (as a telescope) 2) a: the interrelation in which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed also: point of view b: the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative importance

We need to live our Christian lives looking down through the telescope of time, looking forward to the time that the fullness of Jesus’ kingdom is established in the earth.  We need to look forward to the time when Jesus will truly be king on the earth.  Right now he can be king in our individual lives and His kingdom authority can be exercised through our lives where each one of us lives.  But there is coming a day when He will rule the whole earth.  At that time there will be those who rule and reign with Him.  I believe who rules and reigns and in what capacity are determined by how we live our lives now.  Therefore behavior matters.

2 Timothy 2:12 ¹²If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: ¹³If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

Rev. 5:9-10 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; ¹⁰And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

 Rev. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

I believe that is what certain of the parables are speaking of, the fact that how we live our lives here and what we do with the giftings God has given us will make a difference in the kingdom to come.  Some examples:  Matthew 24:44-51; Luke 12: 42-48; Matt. 25:1-30;  Luke 19:12-27

To me every Christian should live their lives with a Kingdom perspective. Jesus Christ preached the gospel of the kingdom of God. (Mark 1:14-15)  He spoke much about the kingdom.  Jesus said, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.”  (Matt. 24:13)  Jesus also admonished us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33) So it behooves us to live our lives every day with the kingdom of God in mind.