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Kingdom Principles and the Sermon on the Mount
Kingdom Principles and the Sermon On The Mount
The sermon on the mount (recorded in Matthew chapters 5 thru 7) is one of the beloved sermons of Jesus. It has been read, studied, and pondered for 2,000 years. After all of that, parts of it still seem perplexing. I believe a great part of this is because people try to make it something that it is not. It is NOT a self-help lecture on how to get ahead in this world situation. It transcends this world and allows one to walk with God.
Jesus came to bring the kingdom of God. He went everywhere teaching the gospel of the Kingdom. In such teaching He was teaching what it was like when God ruled. The problem then as now is that many people are under the power / authority of darkness rather than God. They love darkness rather than the kingdom of light. When Jesus begins teaching the nature of the kingdom of God, such kingdom opposed the principles of darkness and sin. Such kingdom however exists at the same time that the power of darkness does. The kingdom of God will overcome but for NOW, we must live alongside those who are still under the power of darkness.
Paul said that the Lord sent him "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me" (Acts 26:18).When people understand and begin following Jesus, they begin living the principles of the kingdom. They are translated out of the power of darkness and into the kingdom of Jesus (Col. 1:13).
So, how do people live that are citizens of the kingdom of God? Read the sermon on the mount. The problem is that such teaching is not about principles of getting by or prospering in THIS world. Many of the things Jesus taught will NOT work on a worldly level. They DO work in the eternal scheme. They ARE what God intended for people to be like. They are the principles that God expects of His people. Following such will almost assuredly bring problems in this world but will produce godliness which is profitable for eternity.
God IS. God is holy, righteous, and just. God created us in HIS image and desires that we be like him. God is God - the eternal king over all. WE are to be HIS people. We are the people that God rules over. We thus love him above all. We trust him in everything. We model our very character to be like Him. We must learn to live by the kingdom principles given by Jesus. Hugh DeLong
