The Alternative Kingdom

"I resolved to regard nothing in your midst except Jesus Christ and him crucified." 1 Cor 2:2

"From now on we disregard all common human distinctions between people, and even though we have known Christ in human terms, we no longer do so.  So if anyone is 'in Christ' they are a new type of creation, where the old categories drop away and the individual emerges in a new order." 2 Cor 5:16-17

The Kingdom of God is a new order where a person surrenders to God's economy, his "measuring system".  The scorecard is different.

All members of the Kingdom are rescuees, smoking equally of the fires of hell.  Once condemned by our mutinous actions against the True King, now all surrenderees are beloved and blessed and related as one family.  Once serving only themselves, now Kingdom citizens are united together for service to bring the King God glory by rescuing still more lowly, condemned trespassers.

The rich and powerful, religious and smart -- all are welcome but few come.  Their labels and advantages prove too much to overcome -- their place in the fortresses of the shadowlands is too secure.  We look past the pecking order and are not impressed by the attainments of the glittering images they raise up -- no power or glory do they wield in our New Country.  In the Kingdom of God, a homeless man is the saviour of the world!  Those considered as nothing -- "white trash", and everything else -- these find "eternity present" standing open before them.  "The meek inherit the earth" -- because it is they who would find it gain to abandon all to enter the Kingdom.

The religious types often stand in their way, dividing doctrine and law.  Or worse these days: offering a toxic cocktail called "Consumer-God". "'Consumer-God' will bless you with prosperity and give you more of "The Good Life" for the low price of only 10%!" No wonder "The Kingdom of God has suffered violence and the violent take it by force": it is from the likes of these it must be wrested!

We cannot admire their degrees and fine sounding arguments.  We cannot seek their approval or measure anything by their standards.  The Kingdom measures according to Christ: What have you done with the carpenter from Nazareth?  Look to the ones who are hungry and needy--trying to keep their dignity in a world where they score poorly by the measures we once used.

Instead, now, we know the Kingdom of God is open to them -- they can live as princes and princesses, adopted by the King!  He fills us with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, self-control.  New Life! A set-free life.  But only available by crucifixion -- our lives -- the old ones -- die alongside Christ.  Our old letters of recommendation are gone.  The old amassments of wealth -- gone.  We abandon them all for a new currency.  Now we traffic in Joy.

When our shiny eyes open on the world blazing with new life, we see things clear.  The pushing and jostling is no longer for us.  The pleasures and sensualities are empty.  The goals and attainments we once gave ourselves to, that looked so worthy, have become unrecognizable -- their delight drained dry.

A new lamp is lit in our heart, burning from the inside.  The Spirit of the Living God, having given us new eyes to see.  Now we can love our neighbor and be perfect as the energy He imparts to live His Kingdom Dream flows into our lives.  We look on those poor and broken no longer with pity and angst but with compassion, knowing they are closer to the kingdom for it belongs to them and all who will reach out their hands for the true freedom offered by the Messiah.  We go forth now into the world but living in the Kingdom of God.  Now we are on mission, looking for the lowliest that we might lift their eyes to the heavens.  We: beggars who know where the bread is.  And so we share.