What is Your Status and Reward?
When you hear the word “status” what do you think of? The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the definition of “status” as: 1) a condition or position with regard to the law 2) a positional rank; standing (i.e. high status) high position; prestige (seeking status). Status literally means “the state of us”.
Now, having stated that, there was a time when two of Jesus' closest disciples wanted a high status: Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
“What is your request?” he asked.
They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” Now read the Lord Jesus’ reply: But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” Even then the desire to be above others was present!
In this present world, the desire to get ahead of your fellow man and be the best is a compelling passion. Many of us are preoccupied with the status quo in business, sports and often in religious circles. They seek the status symbols, such as new or large homes, millions of dollars and the fame and admiration of the world. Men and women of God don’t need their photos on the covers of magazines or for the world to know how much they are “worth”. Is that the Kingdom message the Lord Jesus taught? I don’t think so. The fame and recognition of the world means nothing. It is mere “dust in the wind”. Some of the greatest people in the Kingdom are anonymous to the world. The King taught His disciples that whoever wanted to be first must be “a servant or slave to all”. Try convincing today’s Christian leaders of that!
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We all start out with good intentions, but if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit—our Governor—or do not allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will take on the mindset of the world. Part of that world mindset pursues status and the world’s rewards of being successful.
In the Kingdom of God, you only must follow the leading of His Word and let the guidance of the Governor lead you to your purpose and assignment. The Lord Jesus made it quite clear while He was here on earth. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. There are many religious and denominational leaders who compete for a position in their organization. Stop seeking the world’s recognition and rewards. It is not the Kingdom way! Are you concerned about your status and how you look to others? You never have to concern yourself with competing against others in the Kingdom, but there will be a reward for those who follow the King and His Word. The Lord Jesus made it very clear when He made this statement: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” The rewards of this world are nothing compared to the eternal rewards of the Kingdom. Everything this world can offer is temporal and temporary. It will all become nothing more than dust and rust. It will fade away.
Remember these two things: This present world is temporary, but His Word is eternal. Your status, reputation and all your rewards here on this earth, are temporary as well. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. NKJV
Your faith in His Word is your greatest asset!
Mark 10:35-37, 38-40, 42-45 John 16:13 Matthew 16:24-27 Mark 13:31
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
Now, having stated that, there was a time when two of Jesus' closest disciples wanted a high status: Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do us a favor.”
“What is your request?” he asked.
They replied, “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left.” Now read the Lord Jesus’ reply: But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”
“Oh yes,” they replied, “we are able!”
Then Jesus told them, “You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.” Even then the desire to be above others was present!
In this present world, the desire to get ahead of your fellow man and be the best is a compelling passion. Many of us are preoccupied with the status quo in business, sports and often in religious circles. They seek the status symbols, such as new or large homes, millions of dollars and the fame and admiration of the world. Men and women of God don’t need their photos on the covers of magazines or for the world to know how much they are “worth”. Is that the Kingdom message the Lord Jesus taught? I don’t think so. The fame and recognition of the world means nothing. It is mere “dust in the wind”. Some of the greatest people in the Kingdom are anonymous to the world. The King taught His disciples that whoever wanted to be first must be “a servant or slave to all”. Try convincing today’s Christian leaders of that!
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” We all start out with good intentions, but if we are not filled with the Holy Spirit—our Governor—or do not allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, we will take on the mindset of the world. Part of that world mindset pursues status and the world’s rewards of being successful.
In the Kingdom of God, you only must follow the leading of His Word and let the guidance of the Governor lead you to your purpose and assignment. The Lord Jesus made it quite clear while He was here on earth. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. There are many religious and denominational leaders who compete for a position in their organization. Stop seeking the world’s recognition and rewards. It is not the Kingdom way! Are you concerned about your status and how you look to others? You never have to concern yourself with competing against others in the Kingdom, but there will be a reward for those who follow the King and His Word. The Lord Jesus made it very clear when He made this statement: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds. And I tell you the truth, some standing here right now will not die before they see the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom.” The rewards of this world are nothing compared to the eternal rewards of the Kingdom. Everything this world can offer is temporal and temporary. It will all become nothing more than dust and rust. It will fade away.
Remember these two things: This present world is temporary, but His Word is eternal. Your status, reputation and all your rewards here on this earth, are temporary as well. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. NKJV
Your faith in His Word is your greatest asset!
Mark 10:35-37, 38-40, 42-45 John 16:13 Matthew 16:24-27 Mark 13:31
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