From the perspective of this world, everything about God’s kingdom is upside-down.
From the perspective of God’s kingdom, everything about this world is upside-down.
The Upside-Down Kingdom
John 18:36 — Jesus to Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.”
We believe in and follow a Messiah who suffers, and represents a God who:
– identifies with the poor, the oppressed, the humble.
– honors much of what this world despises, ignores, or does not understand.
– despises much of what this world desires or exalts.
* * *
Here are values, principles, and practices
of God’s kingdom followed by their verses.
Beatitudes
Matthew 5:3–12 / Luke 6:20–26
Blessed are the poor (& poor in spirit) / the hungry / those who desire righteousness / the merciful / the pure in heart / peacemakers / those who mourn & weep /
the meek / the hated / the insulted / the persecuted
Woe to the rich / the well fed / the care-free-haughty / the popular
This is God’s society — the Upside-Down Kingdom in a nutshell.
Die in Order to Live
Matt. 10:39 “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
The First Will Be Last and the Last Will Be First
Matt. 19:30 “Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
The Exalted Are Humbled and the Humble Are Exalted
Matthew 18:3–4 “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
The Greatest Among You Is the Servant
Mark 10:42–45 “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Jesus washes the disciple’s feet – John 13:1-17
Love the People You Hate
Luke 6:27–31 “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes who belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
The Good Samaritan – Luke 10:30-37
Repay Evil with Blessing
1 Peter 3:9 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
What’s Valuable Is Worthless
Luke 16:15 “What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”
Give Away to Receive
Luke 6:38 “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Parable of the Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
Suffering Brings Glory
Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Trouble Brings Joy
James 1:2–4 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”
Be Free By Being a Slave
Romans 6:16, 18 “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? . . . You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.”
Be Wise By Being a Fool
1 Corinthians 3:18–19 “Do not deceive yourselves. If anyone of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s sight.”
Be Strong By Being Weak
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. . . . When I am weak, then I am strong.”
God never intended you to live this Christian life by your own ability.
* * *
From God’s perspective, the world is upside-down.
What would happen if Christians thought and lived the way the Bible designs?
You will make a choice—it’s unavoidable.
Continually remind yourself.
Three enemies:
World (is inverted) >Take time out — correct your orientation.
Flesh (is self-centered) >Intentionally look for ways to help others.
Devil (is deceitful) >Choose whom you listen to.
Jesus stood before Pilate: “My Kingdom is not of this world.”
— He meant it.
In the end, his is the only opinion that matters.
Photo credit: Flickr.com | GoDiNo
