WHAT KINGDOM DO YOU BELONG TO?
Part 4

And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another,
as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”
(Matthew 25:33).

10. I BELONG TO A KINGDOM PREPARED FOR ME BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD

Matthew 25:34: “Then shall the king say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom PREPARED FOR YOU from the foundation of the world.”

How amazing. Not only is this kingdom prepared before the foundation of the world, but it is prepared personally for me. For you. Jesus said in John 14:1-3: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so I would have told you. I go to PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

Although this kingdom is prepared before the foundation of the world, Jesus must still be working on it as He says He is continuing to prepare it for us. Our mortal mind will never fathom the glory of the eternal kingdom that we have inherited through Jesus’ death and His precious blood poured out for us.

This kingdom is not prepared for everyone. It is prepared for God’s sheep. Matthew 25:31-33 says: “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.”

Those who belong to Him will go to the right where Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father. The goats, those who do not belong to Him will go to the left to “everlasting punishment” (v. 46).

The sheep inherit the kingdom of God; the goats do not belong to the kingdom. That’s one of the reasons why I don’t like to refer to children as “kids.” Why put them in the goat company that does not belong to God. I want them to be part of the sheep company.

11. I BELONG TO A KINGDOM OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY

Romans 14;17: “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”

If we belong to God’s kingdom, these attributes should be part of our lives. Joy should be the hallmark of my life. Righteousness should personify my character because the righteousness of Jesus dwells in me. How can we belong to kingdom of righteousness and live an unrighteous life? That does not add up.

Romans 1:8 tells us that righteousness is the scepter for God’s kingdom. Read also Psalm 45:6; 47:8; 97:2; and Isaiah 9:6).

12. I BELONG TO A KINGDOM OF JUSTICE AND JUDGMENT

Psalm 89:14: “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne.” Although God is loving and merciful, He is also a God of justice and judgment. He cannot tolerate sin, and yet He waits with patience to bring His judgment. But one day all sin, personally and nationally, will be judged and Jesus Christ will bring all rebellion into subjection to His glorious kingdom.

If we belong to God’s kingdom, we will also understand justice. We will not belong to the “tolerant church” of this society where they tolerate anything and everything. We are commanded to hate sin (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Amos 5;15. To abhor and shudder at sin (Romans 12:9). To reprove sin (Ephesians 5:11 and 1 Timothy 5:20; and Titus 1:13).

For further understanding about justice, go to: http://tinyurl.com/PermissionToJudge and
http://aboverubies.org/JusticeintheHome

13. I BELONG TO A KINGDOM THAT IS EXALTED

Balaam’s prophesy in Numbers 24:7 about Israel says: “And his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be EXALTED.”

Rejoice today that you belong to an exalted kingdom.

Be blessed. Nancy Campbell

PRAYER:

“Dear Father in Heaven, I know that Your kingdom is a kingdom of justice and judgment. Please teach me Your justice. Your justice is perfect whereas mine is often biased. Please show how to show mercy and justice in a godly way. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

I belong to a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy. Therefore I live in righteousness, peace, and joy in every circumstance.