Kingdom People

Jesus spoke about the kingdom of heaven often and His teachings are instructions for those who follow after Him.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
Matthew 5:1‭-‬2 NKJV

Taken individually, the words following, are full of instruction, and taken collectively, they are a path of progression.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NKJV

One cannot accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior if one does not realize the state of their soul.

It takes those who know they are poor in spirit to seek the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 NKJV

Mourning for the lost condition of one’s soul is the beginning of repentance.

For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted;…
II Corinthians 7:10a NKJV

Truly, Jesus’s salvation and the promise of eternal life comforts the soul of the one who realizes their spirit’s need.

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 NKJV

Once a person has realized their spiritual need, repented, and found comfort in Christ’s salvation, they begin to learn the ways of Jesus, following in His footsteps and inheriting the promises of God.

Psalm 76:9 KJV — When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah.

Psalm 149:4 KJV — For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Like newborn babes, the new believer is in need of frequent feedings upon the milk of the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV — As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

As the child matures and eats solid food, so too should the new believer grow and mature, daily being filled by God’s Word, for the Bible is such a meal to the soul that old and young can be satisfied.

John 6:27 KJV — Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:7 NKJV

As the heart of the believer learns the costly price God paid to extend mercy and grace to us, we better grasp the enormity of it’s gift.

God’s mercy is too precious to horde and it flourishes as it is spread.

2 Samuel 22:26 KJV — With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.

Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8 NKJV

As we grow in our walk with Jesus, our understanding of God grows.

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
Psalm 15:1‭-‬2 KJV

Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 NKJV

True peace only comes from God Almighty.

It is a fantasy to think that peace on earth can be achieved without the Creator, especially since He made it good in the beginning, we sinned and evil entered this world.

Yet, as we follow after Christ, accepting our need for Him, repenting from our sin, humbling ourselves, being fed upon His Word, and choosing to be merciful as He is, then we can become peace makers, for our lives have become a testimony to the One who brought true peace, which comes through the reconciliation of our souls through His attornment.

James 3:18 KJV — And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 NKJV

From the beginning, those who rebel against God sin against those who have chosen to do right.

1 John 3:12 KJV — Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Psalm 37:12 KJV — The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
Matthew 5:11 NKJV

John 15:20 KJV — Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

Those who follow after Christ should understand that in this world we will have trials and tribulations, for if it hated and killed our Lord and Savior it will hate and kill those who follow, but this world is not our home, nor our final destination.

With acceptance of Jesus Christ we are looking forward to eternity, life everlasting in heaven.

Matthew 5:12 NKJV — “Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As citizens of heaven, whose journey is guided by the Comforter, and being instructed by the scriptures, we have much to rejoice over.

Not only are we given all we need for this journey, Christ already paid for our entrance into eternity with Him.

Philippians 1:21 KJV — For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You. No one has ever done as much for me as You have. Nothing on this earth compares to the promises I have in You. Thank You for teaching me daily and showing me the path, through Your example and Your Word. Lord, I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know Who is already there. Thank You for the security of salvation and the blessings of Your promises. They make the day-to-day things so much easier, for I know I need not try on my own. I can wait patiently for the Master and walk steadfast in His direction. Please, Lord, please continue to hone my heart that I might not sin against You. Please continue to shine through me each day, that I might honor You in all things, bringing glory to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Thank You! Amen.