WALKING TO BE IN GOD’S KINGDOM

SCRIPTURE READING
Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34

When a religious scholar came to test the depth of Jesus’ understanding of the Law, Jesus gave two simple but powerful statements to summarize all of God’s commandments to His people. First Jesus said, “Hear, o Israel! The lord our god is one lord; and you shall love the lord your god with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength (Mark 12:29-30 cf. Matt. 22:37).' After that he also told them, "The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31 and Matt. 22:39).” To which this particular religious scholar vehemently agreed at the same he commended lucidity and accurateness of Jesus’ summary.

Even though how intelligent this religious scholar, Jesus knew his spiritual condition. His knowledge of God’s law was not enough to merit him access to God’s kingdom. He knew the law of being in God’s kingdom but failed to obey the greatest commandment of all – to LOVE. It was not out of love that he along with other religious scholars and leaders were asking questions to Jesus, it was all out or envy and rage. Because of this, Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God (Mark 12:34).”

The stipulations of God’s law and narrative stories in the Bible are not mere moralistic standards that we have to impose, but it is an account of God’s love affair with His people. The full demonstration of such love from God is Jesus thru whom we have access to enter God’s kingdom. (1John 4:9-10)
How far are you from God’s kingdom? Or are you part of God’s kingdom and is confident that you will spend eternity with our Lord God the King? Why?

MEMORY VERSE
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1John 4:7-8)

by Pastor Dennis Mongoso
Breadcom Discipleship Pastor

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