Kingdom Requirements

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; 

but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

  Matthew 7:21

What a rude awakening it will be for those who, though they follow certain passages from God's word but yet do not embrace the totality of God's words, to realize they missed crucial pieces.  

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:   Matthew 22:22-24 

Disciples of God are instructed to be kingdom minded in all of our ways; to be or do anything less indicates the spirit of another kingdom.  Specific contrasting principles of the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness are found in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6.

These passages are part of the teachings of Jesus which have come to be known as the "Sermon On the Mount" because He first taught it on a mountainside in Israel. This sermon contains many specific Kingdom principles. Although the sermon does not cover every life situation, the principles and culture of the kingdom are representative of kingdom requirements. They establish a pattern for ethical, moral and spiritual behavior applicable in all situations.

The first part of the sermon found in Matthew 5:1-12 has come to be known as the "Beatitudes" and deal with basic Kingdom attitudes which are blessed by God. 

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: 

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, 

and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  

Matthew 5:2-11

Those who are blessed do not hold the conventional values of society. The word "blessed" used in this passage means to be approved by God. There is a difference between being blessed and being happy. Being blessed depends on God and is unaffected by circumstances. Being happy depends on circumstances of life.

Some of the specific contrasts in the culture of the Kingdom of God include:  

Ö     Poor In Spirit

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.  Matthew 5:3 

And He lifted up his eyes on His disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the Kingdom of God.   Luke 6:20  

The world honors those with material wealth. God chooses the poor of the world and makes them rich in faith, 

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the Kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him?  James 2:5  

The world emphasizes the spirit of self-reliance, self-expression, and self-improvement. But God approves those who are poor in spirit who realize they have no ability on their own to save themselves, to satisfy their spiritual needs, or to solve their own problems.  

But woe unto you that are rich! For you have received your consolation.   Luke 6:24

Ö     Those Who Mourn

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.  Mathew 5:4

There are two kinds of sorrow. The sorrow of the world is sorrow resulting from sin. It is a sorrow which comes through suffering the penalties of sin. But this sorrow does not result in a change in lifestyle. Godly sorrow is sorrow for sin. Godly sorrow results in repentance,  

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of; but the sorrow of the world worketh death.  2 Corinthians 7:10 

God approves of such sorrow. He says those who experience it will receive comfort:  

. . . Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.  Luke 6:21  

Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.  John 16:20  

In the Kingdom, those who mourn are comforted and sorrow brings joy. Joy is turned to sorrow for those in the kingdoms of the world.  

. . .Woe unto you that laugh now! For ye shall mourn and weep.   Luke 6:25

Ö     Blessed Are The Meek

Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.  Matthew 5:5

Meekness is not weakness or passiveness. To be meek means to be gentle in nature, not easily provoked, and to have a mild temperament. It is the opposite of worldly principles which advise "assert yourself and stand up for your rights."  Meekness is not a natural quality of fleshly man. But, it is a part of the spiritual attributes of the Kingdom:  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law.   Galatians 5:22-23  

Each of these qualities should be characteristic of Kingdom residents. They are spiritual fruit which are a result of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The world does not consider meek people as conquerors, but God promises the meek will inherit the earth.

Ö     Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness; for they shall be filled.   Matthew 5:6

Men hunger after many things in the kingdoms of the world. They hunger after power, wealth, success, and happiness. Kingdom residents should not hunger for such material things. They should seek righteousness which is the basic principle of the Kingdom.  

Blessed are ye that hunger now; for ye shall be filled . . .  Luke 6:21  

Some believers go from religious meeting to religious meeting seeking "blessings" from God. They are never satisfied spiritually. In this Kingdom principle, Jesus reveals that only those who hunger for righteousness will be spiritually filled.

When you are hungry in the natural world, you do not sit down and passively wait for food. You take action to satisfy your hunger by obtaining food and preparing a meal. In the spiritual world you cannot sit and passively wait for God to satisfy your spiritual hunger. You must actively seek spiritual food by communicating with God in prayer and studying His written Word.

The hungry are filled in the Kingdom of God. Those in the kingdoms of the world are left hungry:  

Woe unto you that are full! For ye shall hunger. . .   Luke 6:25

Ö     Blessed are the Merciful

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.   Matthew 5:7

Worldly principles warn that if you are too merciful with others, they will abuse you. If you show too much kindness, they will take advantage of you. Kingdom principles teach the opposite. If you show mercy you will obtain mercy instead of abuse. 

Ö     Pure in Heart

Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.   Matthew 5:8

The religious leaders of Jesus' day stressed the outward keeping of law and tradition rather than inward heart attitudes. They observed the Sabbath strictly, fasted regularly, prayed openly, and gave alms to the poor.  

But Jesus stressed the inward attitudes of the heart rather than the outward sacrifices.  It is not those with the outward signs of religion that will see God. It is those who are pure in heart.  David said in his prayer to God:  

Create in me a clean heart . . .   Psalm 51:10

Ö     Peacemakers

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.   Matthew 5:9

Revolution is the method of change in the kingdoms of the world. Peacemakers are those in the kingdom of God who understand the source of their peace.  Peace is not running away from problems or the absence of war and strife. The peace of which Jesus spoke is different from worldly peace.  

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.   John 14:27  

In the peace of the world there is fear. Will they keep the peace treaty? Will they abide by their promises? On a personal level, will I have a job, can I feed my family, etc.  In God's peace, there is no fear. He has promised to keep believers in perfect peace.  We can have the peace of God even while in un-peaceful circumstances of the kingdoms of the world.

Ö     Persecuted for Righteousness Sake

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.   Matthew 5:10

This Kingdom principle pronounces blessing on those who suffer for a specific reason: For righteousness sake.  

Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in Heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.    Luke 6:22-23  

It is not a general blessing on all who suffer, because some people suffer for their own faults:  

For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.   1 Peter 2:20  

Sometimes it is sin that is behind suffering:  

Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:14-16

Ö     Persecuted for Jesus' Sake

Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.   Matthew 5:11   

Is there anymore to be said?  Aside from the beatitudes, here are some other contrasts between the Kingdom of God and the kingdoms of this world name to those who not only adhere to the beatitudes but teaches them to others:

Ö      . . .but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.   Matthew 5:19

In the world, greatness is exalted. People are considered great if they are successful, famous, have great wealth or power. In the Kingdom of God, those who are great live and teach Kingdom principles. They may be considered the least in the kingdoms of the world, but they are greatest in the Kingdom of God.  Here is the contrast:

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven:. . .   Matthew 5:19

Ö      . . . and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.  Matthew 23:12

For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.  Luke 14:11 

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.   Matthew 23:12

Ö     Servants are leaders:

The kingdoms of the world hold leaders in high esteem. They are honored and exalted. They are waited upon by servants and are considered in a social class far above all others.   In the Kingdom of God, to lead you must become a servant:  

But Jesus called them unto Him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant; Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.  Matthew 20:25-28  

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  Luke 22:26  

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister, And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.  Mark 10:43-44 

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.  Matthew 23:11

In all areas of our life, in every aspect of it, our prayers should include supplication to God to help change us from our worldliness to kingdom minded disciples.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

(Biblical Studies)


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