It is important to know that culture manifests itself in several ways. Keep in mind that shared values are a defining characteristic of a culture and a nation. In other words, what we value reveals to others, who you are. Our values reflect our character. In essence, a value is a belief or conviction that is considered worthy in and of itself by a person or group. It is a standard or ideal that regulates conduct.
Values also relate to one's personal philosophy. Wherever you are from, your values will define your attitudes, behavior and worldview. Now, concerning the Kingdom of the Lord God, if you want to learn how to live in the culture of the Kingdom, you must learn the values of the Kingdom. Our Lord and King stated His value system at the very beginning of His public ministry while here on earth. One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him, and He began to teach them.
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
We, as citizens of the Kingdom of God, must show forth the Kingdom culture in our everyday life. That is why it is so important for every citizen of the Kingdom to consistently stay in the Word--the Lord God's Constitution.
That portion of the King's teaching in religious terms is known as the "Beatitudes" or "blessed saying". In essence, the Lord Jesus was describing the way Kingdom citizens should "be" in character, attitude and behavior.
All Kingdom citizens are filled with the Spirit of God--the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit which causes them to become citizens. it is not from attending a religious service or school. It is the Holy Spirit that lives in them. By the way, the Governor, meaning the Holy Spirit, will always proclaim Jesus is Lord in the person who is filled with His Spirit. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
The evil one, meaning Satan, will never proclaim Jesus as Lord. Only those who are filled with His Spirit will rightly claim Him as Lord and King of their lives.
Now, let's speak more on values! Remember, values are extremely powerful and they form the foundation for our behavior. They also guide the people of a nation in identifying what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable in their culture. Values are the anchors or borders in a culture. They maintain order as long as there is self-control. There was a time when this country that I reside in had Kingdom values and principles, but now they have surrendered to the evil one. When you are a citizen of the Kingdom of the Lord God's government, living in a corrupt society, your values will identify who you are by your very presence and actions. You will be a light shining in the darkness. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Values form the foundation of a nation and shape the lives of individuals on a daily basis.
It is our values that will cause us to stand out in any given society. Citizens of the Kingdom government have this one thing in common--the Holy Spirit. Ambassador Paul put it like this: The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Let's be clear, Kingdom citizens are of one mindset. They aren't satisfied with a religious institution, a church service. They worship the Lord God in Spirit and Truth, on a daily basis. And there is only one Truth and that is the Word of God.
When the Lord Jesus was praying to His Father, read what He said: "I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth."
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." Notice that He made mention that He had given His disciples His Father's Word.
It is His Word that transforms us into citizens in good standing. Again, we aren't of this world, but yet, we reside here and are to be great examples of Kingdom citizenship and Kingdom living.
Remember also, your faith in the King's Word is your greatest asset.
Matthew 5:1-12, 14-16 I Corinthians 12:3, 12-14 John 17:14-21 All NLT
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
Values also relate to one's personal philosophy. Wherever you are from, your values will define your attitudes, behavior and worldview. Now, concerning the Kingdom of the Lord God, if you want to learn how to live in the culture of the Kingdom, you must learn the values of the Kingdom. Our Lord and King stated His value system at the very beginning of His public ministry while here on earth. One day as He saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples gathered around Him, and He began to teach them.
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.
We, as citizens of the Kingdom of God, must show forth the Kingdom culture in our everyday life. That is why it is so important for every citizen of the Kingdom to consistently stay in the Word--the Lord God's Constitution.
That portion of the King's teaching in religious terms is known as the "Beatitudes" or "blessed saying". In essence, the Lord Jesus was describing the way Kingdom citizens should "be" in character, attitude and behavior.
All Kingdom citizens are filled with the Spirit of God--the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit which causes them to become citizens. it is not from attending a religious service or school. It is the Holy Spirit that lives in them. By the way, the Governor, meaning the Holy Spirit, will always proclaim Jesus is Lord in the person who is filled with His Spirit. So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.
The evil one, meaning Satan, will never proclaim Jesus as Lord. Only those who are filled with His Spirit will rightly claim Him as Lord and King of their lives.
Now, let's speak more on values! Remember, values are extremely powerful and they form the foundation for our behavior. They also guide the people of a nation in identifying what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable in their culture. Values are the anchors or borders in a culture. They maintain order as long as there is self-control. There was a time when this country that I reside in had Kingdom values and principles, but now they have surrendered to the evil one. When you are a citizen of the Kingdom of the Lord God's government, living in a corrupt society, your values will identify who you are by your very presence and actions. You will be a light shining in the darkness. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Values form the foundation of a nation and shape the lives of individuals on a daily basis.
It is our values that will cause us to stand out in any given society. Citizens of the Kingdom government have this one thing in common--the Holy Spirit. Ambassador Paul put it like this: The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Let's be clear, Kingdom citizens are of one mindset. They aren't satisfied with a religious institution, a church service. They worship the Lord God in Spirit and Truth, on a daily basis. And there is only one Truth and that is the Word of God.
When the Lord Jesus was praying to His Father, read what He said: "I have given them Your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth."
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." Notice that He made mention that He had given His disciples His Father's Word.
It is His Word that transforms us into citizens in good standing. Again, we aren't of this world, but yet, we reside here and are to be great examples of Kingdom citizenship and Kingdom living.
Remember also, your faith in the King's Word is your greatest asset.
Matthew 5:1-12, 14-16 I Corinthians 12:3, 12-14 John 17:14-21 All NLT
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
