part 2
followers of Jesus DO WHAT JESUS DID
Jesus lived a distinctly KINGDOM life
Jesus used miracles to demonstrate the Power and Presence of God’s Kingdom.
He casted out demons.
He healed the sick.
He had authority over storms and calmed the sea.
As followers of Jesus, we wont do these same things, but we can demonstrate the Power and the Presence of God’s Kingdom in other ways. Things that make people notice.
Jesus did it as the KING of creation, establishing God’s Kingdom.
We do it as CITIZENS of God’s Kingdom, showing how life in God’s Kingdom is radically different from the Kingdom of this world.
It is sad, but true, that many who call themselves Christians live lives that are indistinct from the people of this world. Followers of Jesus who ACTUALLY follow Jesus live lives that bear testimony to the Power and Presence of God’s Kingdom. This becomes evident in at least three ways.
Loving Community
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35
Love is the evidence that something is different. We already spoke about meals as a way for people to experience the Kingdom of God. For more on this, see Do WHAT Jesus did Pt. 1.
Counter Culture
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:43-44
The Kingdom of God has been called an upside down Kingdom. Things that most people would take for granted are turned upside down by the teaching of Jesus. Loving your enemies is just one example of this. Others include:
Forgiveness rather than revenge
Generosity rather than self-centredness
Choosing to be a servant rather aspiring to be the master
All of these are distinctly Kingdom behaviours that demonstrate there is something is RIGHT in the world. That is the presence of the Kingdom.
The Fruit of the Spirit
“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Galatians 5:22
The fruit of the Spirit is not a list of qualities that we strive for. It is what happens when the Holy Spirit is present, and we walk IN STEP with the Spirit. Any PERSON can produce these things when life is easy. Only the SPIRIT can produce this fruit when life is hard.
It’s joy when you would think joy would not be present.
It’s peace when you would think a person would be falling apart under the pressure.
It’s not just kindness and goodness. It’s extending these things to our enemies.
All of these are so radical that people notice that something is RIGHT in the world. That is the presence of the Kingdom.
