Pursuing the values of God's kingdom is a core element of the Christian faith and means practicing values and principles based on the Bible in one's life. This includes following the teachings of Jesus Christ, obeying the will of God, and living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The pursuit of the values of God's kingdom can be explained in various aspects.
1. The essence of God’s kingdom
The kingdom of God is an important theme that Jesus proclaimed when he came to earth. This is not simply a physical place, but a spiritual realm where God's sovereignty is realized and His will is fully realized.
- Jesus' Teachings: Jesus explained the kingdom of God through many parables. For example, the parable of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32) shows that the kingdom of God is small at first but gradually grows larger.
- God's Sovereignty: In God's kingdom, God's will comes first. This is clearly revealed in the prayer, “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
2. The value of God’s kingdom
love and mercy
- Love: The kingdom of God is built on the foundation of love. Jesus emphasized love of God and love of neighbor as the greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).
- Mercy: The Kingdom of God encourages merciful behavior. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7).
righteousness and justice
- Righteousness: The kingdom of God values justice and righteousness. As the saying goes, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6), pursuing a righteous life is the value of the kingdom of God.
- Justice: God's kingdom requires fair treatment of all people. This includes loving all people without prejudice and treating them fairly.
humility and service
- Humility: The kingdom of God requires a humble heart. Jesus taught, “He who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).
- Service: Jesus set an example of service. As the saying goes, “Whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave” (Matthew 20:27), the attitude of serving is important.
3. Practicing the Kingdom of God
personal practice
- Prayer and Meditation: Prayer and Bible meditation are essential in pursuing the values of God's kingdom. This is a way to understand God’s will and receive His guidance.
- Fruit of the Holy Spirit: It is important to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our lives. This is expressed in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, loyalty, gentleness, and self-control.
community practice
- Church Life: Church is a place where the values of God’s kingdom are communally practiced. We share the values of God's kingdom through worship, fellowship, service, and evangelism.
- Social Responsibility: Kingdom values include striving for social justice and peace. It is about helping the poor, standing up against injustice, and demonstrating God's love in the world.
4. Hope for the Kingdom of God
- Eternal Life: The Kingdom of God promises eternal life. This means being with God forever in life after death (John 3:16).
- New heaven and new earth: God's kingdom ultimately includes a new heaven and new earth. This means that everything becomes new and God's complete reign without pain and sorrow is established (Revelation 21:1-4).
conclusion
Pursuing the values of God's kingdom means following the teachings of Jesus, practicing God's will, and living under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This includes practicing the values of love and mercy, righteousness and justice, humility and service in life, and building the kingdom of God individually and communally. Ultimately, it is important to live with the hope of God's kingdom and look forward to eternal life, new heaven, and new earth.