The Kingdom Perspective

 

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Knowledge precedes action. Daniel tells us that in confronting forces of evil “the people who KNOW their God will display strength and take action.” (Daniel 11:32) This is precisely what is played out in the book of Daniel. When Daniel’s friends were asked to bow down and worship a false god, they refused to give in. Why? The answer is simple: they knew the true God. Knowing the true God gave them the courage they needed to go against the culture of their day. It allowed them to do what was right and leave the consequences with God. The fact that they really knew God drove them to courageous action.

My, what a boost it would be to the church today if it were revived in its knowledge of God! What courage it would bring in our fight to see the gospel flourish in every part of our society. How it would motivate us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth! What the church needs today is what it needs in every era, and that is to truly know God.

Something to think about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to the many; yet they will fall by sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder for many days.”

~Daniel 11:32-33

 

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Does it really matter whether we know God or not? As long as we sincerely try to be the best we can, it doesn’t really matter whether we truly know Him, right?

Don’t count on it. Jesus said that many will come to him on that final day and say Lord look at all these good and wonderful things that we did. But listen to Jesus’ reply to their false confidence: “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Is not the implication clear? Whether or not you really know God has eternal consequences.

2 Thessalonians 1:8 & 9 is likewise quite clear, “[Jesus] will punish those who do not KNOW God…with everlasting destruction.” Knowing God is a matter of heaven and hell. Nothing could be more important. Is there anything more important to you?

Something to think about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

~Matthew 7:22-23

 

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“Life stinks and then you die,” so says a cynical bumper sticker.  Why is life in the modern world characterized by such hopelessness and meaninglessness?  Does life have a purpose and if so what is it?

A statement by some Christians from another era I think is helpful at this point.  When asked what the meaning or purpose of life was they said, “To glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”  Much could be said regarding the richness of this statement but at least one thing must be emphasized.  To them meaning or purpose in life is found in relation to God.  Our purpose as human beings is to maximize our relationship with the Supreme Being—to enjoy Him, to glorify Him, to KNOW Him.

We were made to enjoy God.  You can’t enjoy someone you don’t know.  Maybe the reason you don’t enjoy your relationship with God is because you don’t really know Him.

Now that’s worth thinking about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.”

~John 1:1-4

 

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Nobody likes someone who boasts.  Yet, if the truth were known we are all private boasters in some way.  It may be our good looks.  Maybe it’s our superior education or intellect.  It may be our money or social status.  Perhaps we feel that we have faired well in raising our kids the right way.  Then again, it may be that we have attained a higher standard of ethics than most.  Maybe it’s even our more diligent pursuit of spirituality.  Whatever it is, we all have a tendency to be closet-boasters.

But what does this boast gain us in our status before God?  Jeremiah records these penetrating words.  “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD….” (Jeremiah 9) From God’s perspective nothing else really matters except knowing Him.

So what’s your private boast?  Do you have God’s perspective on what really matters?

Something to think about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.  For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”

~2 Corinthians 10:17-18

 

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“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”  There is a mountain of spiritual truth in this pebble of worldly wisdom.  Nothing is more important in life than knowing the One who made you.  Of all the relationships in your life, your relationship with your Creator is most critical.

Jesus at the end of his life had this to say, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) The implication is clear.  If you want to have eternal life then you must KNOW God and therefore KNOW Jesus.  Indeed “eternal life” is made synonymous with knowing God.   KNOWING GOD IS ETERNAL LIFE.

Have you ever thought much about the state of your relationship with God?  Do you know whether or not you know God at all?  Nothing could be more critical if you desire the reality of eternal life.

Something to think about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.  I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.  And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”

~John 17:3-5

If a stranger were to come up to you and ask you to describe yourself, what would you say?  What is the most important thing about you?  What is your most defining characteristic?

A.W. Tozer said that the most important thing about a person is what they think about God.  Your view, your perception of your Creator is more critical than anything else.   How you answer the questions: “What do you think about God?  Who do think God is?  And What do you think God is like?” says more about you than anything else.

So have you thought lately about your understanding of God?  How well do you understand the One who made you and whom you claim to worship?  Do you really know God?

Something to think about from the “Kingdom Perspective”.

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

~Philippians 3:8