Just a simple thought today about life in the kingdom of God.
Jesus told his disciples not to focus their efforts simply on their own family and friends or on their rich neighbors (Luke 14:12). There is nothing wrong with having friends and enjoying them, but Jesus said this try to teach an important kingdom principle.
Too often our lives are focused on the people whom we enjoy, those who bless our lives or those who can do something for us. It is easy to invest our lives in those people who give so much to us and to think we are serving!
But Jesus said this in Luke 14:13-14.
On the contrary, when you host a banquet, invite those who are poor, maimed, lame, or blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Again, it is not wrong to have friends or even to serve them. But true service is given to those who truly need to be served - the broken and beaten in life - and those who can do nothing in return.
This sinful world leaves a lot of hurting and wounded people as a consequence of its wickedness. Those are the people we need to serve. We will get nothing back from it - there's no profit, no fun, no earthly reward. But there is heavenly blessing.
The church, and every one of us who comprise the church, needs to look to this world and find the hurting, the needy, those who can give nothing in return and pour out the love of Christ to them.
Father, may I not simply love those who can give me something in return, but may I truly pour out your love on those who can give nothing in return.
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