Which kingdom? (nationalism) 

July 4 

"Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom..." Matthew 4:23

The ‘good news of the kingdom…’ Which kingdom? Well, which kingdom has good news? Is there good news among the kingdoms of the earth?

I am so very thankful to have been born in the United States of America. I'm not proud, just thankful. There's nothing on my part in being born here to be proud of...just thankful.

From my observation, having visited lots of places in this world, it's easier to live as a Christian in western society than it is in many places. In fact, many of the American 'Christians' I've known probably wouldn't be able to maintain a Christian profession of faith in many places around the globe...their commitment to the 'cause' wouldn't be up to it.

The core values and ethic necessary to live for Christ under pressure, persecution, threat of suffering, torture, and death are those values and ethic taught by Jesus and practiced by the Christians of the first few centuries (Christian Era). Thousands of them suffered terribly and many were martyred.

Those core values and ethic are the substance of the 'good news of the kingdom...' They weren't religious affiliations. They weren't religious concepts. They weren't political philosophies. They weren't socio-economic theories or strategies. They certainly had nothing to do with citizenship in particular country or having a favored country of origin.

According to how Matthew recorded the teachings on the 'kingdom' they had everything to do with children, seed and soil, a mustard seed, treasure in a field, a pearl, birds of the air, lilies of the field, a blessing of peace and a lost lamb.

If your core values and ethic have more to do with your country of origin or chosen political party - perhaps you aren't fully appreciating the connection between the 'pearl' and the 'city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.'

The values Jesus taught weren't first century, they were eternal. They worked for Christians who were under the terrible regime of the Roman Empire, under communism, under fascism, under psychopathic dictators, and for those who endured slavery. I'm afraid they are in danger of dying out under democracy.

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."