KINGDOM PEOPLE
Seventh of twelve parts in Breathtaking Promise series
2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
People who are serious about “working out salvation” consider God’s kingdom every day. Believers-in-Christ live with one goal of putting God first in our lives. Deciding daily to put God first is a choice kingdom people pray before rising out of bed.
www.BibleStudyForKids.com “kids” often show real situations where Scripture comes alive. A twelve year old Believer, Cassie, was thinking, Seventh grade is so grown up from elementary school! She watched a girl flirt with Jeremy, (her elementary school classmate). Jeremy’s face wore a huge grin. “He’s a great guy,” Cassie said to them as they passed in the hall heading towards their next class.
Jeremy blushed. The girl giggled.
God’s Spirit transformed Cassie’s first jealous thought into what she actually said. She loves Jeremy as her brother-in-Christ. They’re on the same wavelength, as people who know whose they are and where they’re headed.
Kingdom people voluntarily replace their will with God’s will. His Spirit constantly transforms kingdom people’s minds into seeing things from God’s perspective. Jeremy’s original thought, What a hotie! transformed into his saying, “What a beautiful smile!”
Another classmate, Brad, saw a couple guys surround a little guy. “Hand over a five spot!” one said, kicking the boy. Brad’s face contorted into a scowl as he walked up to them. God’s Spirit transformed his hateful thoughts into saying, “No bullying on my watch.” Reaching down to lift up the little guy, he asked, “Are you okay?” Brad looked into the bullies’ faces. He challenged, “Does anyone have a problem?”
Missy was Cassie’s friend—well—since forever, and Brad was “one of them.” The four kids were stretching their newly-found 7th-grade freedom, while trying to keep Jesus’ teachings in a secular school. Placing a hand on Brad’s shoulder, she whispered, “I’m so proud of you!” Looking at the bullies, Missy’s I hate you! thought transformed to her saying, “Why not treat others how you’d like to be treated?”
Take Home Nugget
Kingdom people live deliberately with Godly purpose, cooperating with His Spirit in thought, word, and deed. Jesus is our Master. “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one [the old and new creation], and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. … His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God on the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.” (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Are you a kingdom person?
My old self is dead. My new self is alive in Christ!
Adapted from “Your Awesome Potential! (Part 2)” by David C. Pack. The Real Truth Magazine. March, 2016. Pages 1-2, 28-30. Ohio. www.RealTruth.org
J.D. Griffith
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