From: Paul Gage LIVING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD JULY 21, 2022 Hello to all of God’s lovely Saints in the World, Do not the words of one of our hymns say, “His Saints are Lovely in His Sight; He views His Children With Delight; He sees their hope, He knows their fear, and looks and Loves His Image here. This beloved hymn was written by Isaac Watts, well known hymn writer who has fifteen hymns in the “Hymns of the Restoration,” 2007 Edition. As we “live in the Kingdom of God” we have many reminders of God’s love, greatness, and His continual watchful care over us. Yes, He loves his Image here though well aware of our daily struggles to live a Christ-like life. We are reminded of this in the “Jesus and You in 2022” daily devotion guide as the scripture for today is II Corinthians 4-6. II Corinthians 4:1 Therefore, seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not, 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost, 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord--and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12 So then it worketh death unto us, but life unto you. 13 We, having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed and, therefore, have I spoken; we also believe and, therefore, speak, 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you. 15 For we bear all things for your sakes, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God, 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Due to the length of the chapters, I will let you look up Chapters 5 and 6. Paul was speaking to the Saints there because they were in a similar situation as we are today. Striving to live a Kingdom quality life in a world that is almost totally the opposite of the Kingdom. We are reminded in Matthew 6:38 “Wherefore, seek not the things of this world, BUT SEEK YE FIRST TO BUILD UP THE KINGDOM OF GOD, AND TO ESTABLISH HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these things shall be added unto you.” This is according to the Inspired Version of the Scriptures and is quite often misquoted even by Restorationists. The King James 6:33 says, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness:..” Seemingly, by being told to build up the Kingdom, we must have it with us and it is our duty to establish God’s righteousness in building up the Kingdom. That could have well been Paul’s counsel to the Corinthians and thus it is for us today. God bless and keep you in His Arms of Love |
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