Meditate.
For I tell you, unless your righteousness (your uprightness and your right standing with God) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:20 Amplified
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| Into the light of Heaven--a wonderful place. Enter the Kingdom of Heaven right away. |
Jesus was speaking in this scripture passage to a group of people who had followed Him along the Sea of Galilee and up a mountain—where they all sat down and He taught them. He was giving them instruction on the right way to live—not in a legalistic way—but in a way that would please our Heavenly Father and allow them…and us…to have good relationships with others around us. Life is all about relationships. Us to God—God to us—and us with other human beings. Right living—righteousness.
Going to heaven is the ultimate goal for so many people—even in Jesus day. Is that the Kingdom of Heaven? The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is only found in the book of Matthew. In Greek this word “heaven” refers to the seat of order of things eternal—or where God dwells. “Kingdom” refers to a territory subject to a ruler or a king. Additionally, the kingdom is of heavenly or divine origin and nature. Jesus used this phrase “kingdom of heaven” or “kingdom of God” to illustrate the perfect order He was about to establish. So since Jesus established this “kingdom,” it is already here. Usually it is something that people look forward to…after an earthly death. In Philippians 3:20 we read…For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…. Hebrews 12:23 tells us…that we are “enrolled” in heaven. Read Hebrews 12 for more heavenly discussion. The last two verses are encouraging…Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:28-29. The kingdom of heaven cannot be shaken. No earthquakes there…no tumbling down of buildings, no wars…or even rumors of wars. Heaven is a wonderful place. The best part of God’s Kingdom is that it begins when we accept Christ as our Savior…we enter into that kingdom right away. We don’t have to wait until we die. God opens His arm and we become His children…in His kingdom immediately. Do you feel those loving arms around you?
Jesus’ invitation today is for you to seek a righteous life, not
a legalistic response to Laws …but a relationship with Him and with His Father.
How will you respond to Him?
Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I seek first a kingdom relationship with You and with our Heavenly Father, to live in a righteous way that is pleasing to You (Matthew 6:33).
Verse of
Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings,
with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God
heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was
God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God
qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal
salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9
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