Devotional Messages

Our Witness

In today's reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul moves on to remind the believers in Corinth of the importance that the Kingdom of God should enjoy in each believer's life. Around the issue of public lawsuits, the Corinthians had failed in their witness for God, publically arguing with each other over personal rights or belongings. Paul points out that even wanting to argue is a sure sign that they are not thinking of God's Kingdom first: "The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers" (vv.7-8).

The Kingdom of God, that is, the fulfillment of God's Will and the coming eternity with God, should similarly be at the forefront of all believer's thoughts. Any service done to honour God is 'serving the Kingdom', and witnessing and evangelising is 'building the Kingdom'.

The Corinthians involved in the lawsuits had sadly 'lost sight' of the Kingdom of God, being more concerned with personal issues than God's glory. But this happens a great deal today, it happens to varying extents to all believers: it happens whenever we do something God doesn't want, or when we don't do something that God does want.

It seems that it happens regularly as it is very easy to get caught up in this world, with this world's values, aims and morals. Our work environments dictate a certain morality that, unless we're lucky, will usually be counter to the Christian ethic. Similarly, non-believing friends often expect us to participate in activities that are not always glorifying to the Lord. It is very hard to stand up for our beliefs, but in doing so, we are staying focussed on the Kingdom.

Further, the only way our non-believing friends and workmates will see the glory of Christ revealed in us (as they should) is if we are different from non-believers. How, if we neglect the work of the Kingdom, shall others see the importance and meaning of the Kingdom to us!

It seems to me that staying focussed on the Kingdom is the overiding concept behind living the Christian life. Living as a Christian revolves around our relatinship with God, but living the outward Christian life could be summed up as 'living focussed on the Kingdom.' In doing so, we seek the will of God, we seek the glory of God, we seek to share Christ with others and we seek the fulfillment of God's Kingdom: a time when the glory of God will be acknowledged by all, when the will of God will be followed heartfully, when we will live eternally in the presence of our Heavenly Father, when "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord".

Praise God for His glory, revealed in creation, in human life, and in His Son; and pray that you may stay focussed on the Kingdom, seeking His glory and His will.