Matthew 5:31-48
Everything must be affected in order for our lives to be Kingdom lives. Remember, dichotomy does not exist where Jesus is Lord. The Kingdom life cannot be compartmentalized. I think in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us a very basic list of helps to get us thinking about the all encompassing blanket of Kingdom living.
The Kingdom life starts with the mind. From there, it takes shape through our relationships.
Think about all the different relationships that will be represented today by you along with someone else. As we desire to live lives that are connected to the eternal Kingdom, that are the outpouring of the abundant life, not only must our minds be involved but also every relationship we engage in every day. How do your relationships reflect the radiance of God's glory?
How about our marriages (vv. 31-32)? I think the point has to do with the expendibility the Pharisees had placed on marriage. They weren't committed to their wives. They had such a 'holier than thou' attitude that they stretched Scripture to allow for divorce. They took an admonition of Moses and made it a commendation for divorce.
Husband, wife, single person...what's your attitude about marriage? Is it a joke? Is it expendable? Or, as Paul teaches in Ephesians 5, is it the greatest illustration of Christ's relationship to the Church that God ever created? Marriage is to reflect the radiance of God's glory. That's a powerful word for those who want to live the Kingdom life. You can't separate the two.
How about our trustworthiness (v. 37)? Is the Kingdom really connected to our 'yes' being yes and our 'no' being no? Does your honor in the eyes of others really reflect the radiance of God's glory? Apparently.
How about protecting our honor (vv. 38-42)? Are we so haughty as to believe that we deserve to be treated as kings and queens everywhere we go? Are we so desperate for others to honor us that when we face dishonor we throw a tantrum? It's one thing to stand up for others; here Jesus is talking about standing up for yourself. The point, I think, is humility. We ought not to think we deserve anything, but in all things simply refect the radiance of God's glory which we know through Christ who never fought back for His own honor. (He did fight back for the honor of others--including yours and mine!)
In the same vein, how about the Kingdom life vs. personal enemies? Look at vv. 44-45: But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. We show our relationship to God (we reflect the radiance of God's glory) in how we treat our enemies with the love of God.
Is this an exhaustive list of 'how-to enjoy the Kingdom life'? No. Jesus' point is that we will always be striving for the Kingdom life this side of heaven. But strive we must. These subjects are very practical things that help me to begin thinking of all the little ways I must engage in Kingdom living, eternal connections, and the life more abundant.
May we all reflect the radiance of God's glory in everything we do this day. But beware not to do those things for show! That's where Jesus takes us tomorrow in Matthew 6.
G'day mate!
