Hope Now: 27 Days to Peace, Healing, and Justiceనమూనా

Imitating Jesus: Living out the Kingdom life

Throughout my life, I learned about Jesus. I learned who he is, what he did and what he commanded. I knew his teachings applied to me personally. I knew I was expected to live up to his standards of right living.

I learned the ethics of Jesus in my home from my parents. I took a seminary course on Christian ethics. I learned about the Kingdom of God, too, but not as deeply as I now understand it.

But something happened to me. The teachings of Jesus, the ethics of Jesus, and the understanding of the Kingdom met in one place in my heart, soul and mind. I can’t see them without seeing them together in relationship.

I see them at intersections of life and faith; life and work; and life and family.

Jesus intended for his teachings and commands to be taken seriously by his followers. The ethics of Jesus are the ethics of the Kingdom of God and set the community of the King apart from the general population. The teachings of Jesus and the kingdom way of life are the responsibility of every Christian. That is, to do the will of God.

Doing the will of God brings the Kingdom near. As obedience to the will of God and the teachings of Jesus begins to happen in a Christian’s life, the Kingdom is evident.

Things begin to change. Relationships change. Families are impacted. Communities transform. The culture begins to shift.

Followers of Jesus in the community imitate Jesus and the Kingdom way and the community begins to be a place where the Kingdom resides. The King and his Kingdom come near.

Questions for Reflection:

• What implications does Jesus’ commands have on us?
• How would you assess your willingness to obey his commands as defining markers of your membership in the Kingdom of God?