Kingdom Commitment – Day Two: No One But The King

It’s true. You will serve someone or something.

It’s amusing how some of us look to avoid that truth. After all if we’re the captain of our own destiny and we’re in charge of what will happen to us, how can this be subject to someone we give allegiance to, something we dedicate our lives to, someone we will live and die for? How can that be?

It’s odd, but it’s still true. Whether it’s fame, power, popularity, security, spouse, children, job or money, we will find something or someone to serve and dedicate our lives.

The hardest commitment to the Kingdom of God is the first one. That one states clearly that above everyone and everything else Jesus the Lord is supreme. It makes sense in a Kingdom that the King should take the prominent role. The call of this King is to see the King as more important than even the most intimate relationship available in life.

This commitment is one that is often made verbally but not always reinforced by actions. For whatever reason, there’s a tug to return to other things and see them as more important than the King, to somehow believe that Jesus is only there as the means to the end we really crave. This is not what Jesus is here for.

The struggle can be seen by Jesus’ encounter with the rich ruler. When told to give up his wealth and distribute it to the poor, the sadness that came to the man’s eyes betrayed what he really considered as important. The follow up astonishment of the crowd also exposed what people thought the Kingdom was all about. The disciples making their claim as to what they gave up to follow Jesus also gave the opportunity to be reminded of what is most important.

Later, the apostle Paul would write about how his own accomplishments and status was nothing in comparison to knowing Jesus.

It’s that level of allegiance and devotion to the King over everything else that matters. It is that commitment to seeing Him as of surpassing worth that makes the difference. It’s that realisation and recognition of Him for all that He is that should bring us from where we were to where He created us to be. That’s the first major Kingdom commitment and from there flows everything else.

There is also the factor that in recognising Him as the King, there’s also seeing His reach to us. It’s not a distant relationship that He looks for. It’s not one that marked by what we can recite about Him. It’s one where He loves to engage and interact with us and come alongside us as friend as well as King, as brother as well as Saviour. He gives us His Spirit helping us to grow to relate to Him as He desires and truly know Him and see how knowing Him is life eternal.

It is a major undertaking, but it’s not one done without help. It is a significant investment, but it’s not one without significant returns. It’s the best commitment in life because it brings so much meaning and enrichment to life.

Every day we get to express that commitment in a variety of ways. In so doing we affirm that we trust the King with everything and we are desirous for His rule to be made known in and through us for His glory.

Even as we long for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

(Photo by Oscar Ivan Esquivel Arteaga on Unsplash)

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

C. L. J. Dryden