What is character? It is the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of a person or thing. It is a feature or trait or characteristic. Lastly, it has to do with morals or ethical qualities. We all have character. The question is, is it a good, morally upright character or is it a bad, immoral character? Do you have Kingdom characteristics, religious characteristics or worldly characteristics? While the Lord Jesus was speaking to a crowd, He made this statement:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." NKJV
These are characteristics of a Kingdom citizen. These same characteristics are displayed in their everyday behavior. It is a Kingdom citizen's way of life, not part of a religious belief; or something that is put on and taken off as a piece of clothing.
Allow me to share our cultural experience when I first arrived in what people call the "Bible Belt" ("Religious Belt"), where a majority claim to love the Lord Jesus. Many of those very people took offense with our marriage and our very presence because of the color of our skin. You could call us "Ebony and Ivory". They call it race, but my Father only created one race, and that is the human race. I call it CC, meaning culture and color. In the Kingdom, your character should be clearly displayed in your every day behavior. Be consistent! People who are not in the Kingdom of God are "sometimes up...sometimes down". They are blowing in the winds of their emotions, their feelings and not their faith. But read what our King says about those who go through challenges of this world: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. NKJV When the King and Lord of this earth makes that statement, you can hold Him to His Word. Look what He says your attitude should be in all of that: Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV
Keep in mind, if you are truly living by His Word, that will be your response to any kind of trouble or challenges. That is because you trust in His Word. It would be in your character, and being that you are born again and filled with His Spirit, it will be in your DNA.
The Lord Jesus never told them to take up their weapons when they are persecuted because of Him, yet the religious will turn to guns and their own strength to defend themselves. They have a carnal, religious character. They trust in man more than the Lord Jesus. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” They don't trust in His Word, but in what they can see! That isn't faith, not the God kind of faith. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Remind yourself of all that He has done for you to build your faith. Your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the living God.
Matthew 5:3-12 Matthew 26:52-54 James 1:6-8
all NLT, except where noted
~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." NKJV
These are characteristics of a Kingdom citizen. These same characteristics are displayed in their everyday behavior. It is a Kingdom citizen's way of life, not part of a religious belief; or something that is put on and taken off as a piece of clothing.
Allow me to share our cultural experience when I first arrived in what people call the "Bible Belt" ("Religious Belt"), where a majority claim to love the Lord Jesus. Many of those very people took offense with our marriage and our very presence because of the color of our skin. You could call us "Ebony and Ivory". They call it race, but my Father only created one race, and that is the human race. I call it CC, meaning culture and color. In the Kingdom, your character should be clearly displayed in your every day behavior. Be consistent! People who are not in the Kingdom of God are "sometimes up...sometimes down". They are blowing in the winds of their emotions, their feelings and not their faith. But read what our King says about those who go through challenges of this world: Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. NKJV When the King and Lord of this earth makes that statement, you can hold Him to His Word. Look what He says your attitude should be in all of that: Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. NKJV
Keep in mind, if you are truly living by His Word, that will be your response to any kind of trouble or challenges. That is because you trust in His Word. It would be in your character, and being that you are born again and filled with His Spirit, it will be in your DNA.
The Lord Jesus never told them to take up their weapons when they are persecuted because of Him, yet the religious will turn to guns and their own strength to defend themselves. They have a carnal, religious character. They trust in man more than the Lord Jesus. “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and He would send them instantly? But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?” They don't trust in His Word, but in what they can see! That isn't faith, not the God kind of faith. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Remind yourself of all that He has done for you to build your faith. Your greatest asset is your faith in the Word of the living God.
Matthew 5:3-12 Matthew 26:52-54 James 1:6-8
all NLT, except where noted
~~W.R. Luchie
www.kingdomcitizens.org
This article may only be reproduced, in print or on the internet, if the author's name and website address are included at the end of the article as originally placed. Thank you
