From: Paul Gage
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD MAY 19, 2022
LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
MAY 19, 2022
Greetings to all the Saints Around the World,
As we continue living in the Kingdom of God while living in the world, there are so many things that attempt to lure us way from the kingdom. It seemingly has from the beginning been the struggle of man-whether we choose God or something else. We find in Genesis 7:40 that God gave man his agency so that we may love one another and choose Him as our Father.
This becomes our daily task of living in the Kingdom, choosing God as our Father. As the words to Hymn 324, “Father, When in Love to Thee,” say, “In the midst of sin and strife, teach us how to live a life, marked by graces of new birth, worthy of Thy Saints on earth.” The teacher is Jesus Christ and we are reminded, several times, in scriptures that He is our example and we must follow in His steps.
In Matthew 16:25-30 Jesus tells us what we must do if we are to follow Him. Peter, in chapter 2:21-25, reminds us that Jesus left us an example, that we should follow His steps. Then in I Peter 3:15 we are told to always be ready to give an answer for the hope (Jesus Christ) that is in us.
Nephi, in II Nephi 13:9-13 also encourages us to follow the example of Jesus. This thought continues to be presented to us in III Nephi 8:42-49 where Jesus says, “I am the light; I have set an example for you.”
Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” “Seek ye first to build up the Kingdom of God and to establish His righteousness.” “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you; and do good to them that hate you and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.”
In Doctrine and covenants 38:5c and 46:9b we are told that we must practice virtue and holiness before God continually. There is an old saying that “Practice makes perfect,” but that is not true. It takes Perfect Practice to be Perfect.
Jesus was, and is, and will always be our PERFECT EXAMPLE! FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS.
Elbert A. Smith, in “Square Blocks” a chapter entitled, “The Central Figure of Christianity” states, “Is it not a sublime thought that man may so live that the enemy will be silenced and the skeptic forced to admire?
CHRIST DID THAT AND THAT WE MUST DO BECAUSE WE ARE HIS FOLLOWERS.
The Apostle Paul shares with us in Philippians 4 the following:
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,…honest,…just,…pure,…lovely,…of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Our lives are surrounded with ungodliness and demands that often bleed away our thoughts until we are worn and weakened. Reflect for a few moments on this inventory of empowering thinking.
Truth—Literally “that which is not hidden”; Jesus Himself (John 14:6); the Word of God (John 17:17; Psalm 119:11).
Honesty—Not just accuracy, but “sober” and “venerable”; sometimes “magnificent” or “great”; used of church officers (1 Timothy 2:2; 3:8).
Justice—Righteous, just, right, suitable; “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom....The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable” (Proverbs 10:31-32).
Purity—Morally and sexually chaste; closely connected with “holiness”; the emphasis is on physical and mental purity (1 John 3:2).
Loveliness—Beauty, friendship, delight, and wonder are all suggested by the “good love” of this word (Luke 12:27).
Good News—This takes discipline, because there is far more bad news than good in this world; we are admonished to take “inventory” (dwell on, recall) the “good reports” (Proverbs 25:25).
These excellent and praiseworthy matters should dominate our thinking in a conscious “inventory” of the attributes on this final list. If we do so, God promises His peace in our lives. (A daily reading from The Institute of Creation Research.. Scriptures may not line up exactly with the Inspired Version)
God bless each one
Paul Gage
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