We are promised a transformed life as the result of a renewed mind. Sometimes we forget how very different God’s way is from the accepted perspectives of the world. Thought I would just pull this excerpt from the Employed for Life Devotional as a reminder that we are not of this world. We need to keep Heaven’s point of view at all times, and live it out every day.
Holding Kingdom Perspectives
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Matthew 11:18-20
Time will indeed tell which Kingdom will rule on Earth for all eternity. All mankind will witness the “proving right” of the Word and wisdom of God at the triumphant return of the Lord. Jesus makes the point time and time again that empty words and superficial actions count for nothing. The works of believers and non-believers will be judged for fruitfulness by His Kingdom standards. True fruitfulness will be an outward demonstration of a root system firmly anchored in obedience to God’s will and the Kingdom of God. “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit… A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” It should be the primary goal of every believer to walk in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, imitating Him in love, peace and joy and manifesting the fruits of the spirit in all we do.
The Kingdom of God is nothing like the kingdom of the world; in every way God’s Kingdom reveals God’s true intention and the world offers its version of a convincing counterfeit. We’ll look at some very powerful workplace concepts and discover how far the worldview has strayed from the truth in every case.
- Power was never intended to be used as a force for dominion over others. In God’s economy it is the ability to get results, to produce fruit. It belongs to God and works through us to accomplish His purposes. The enormity of His power is beyond our ability to conceive but the apostle Paul stated it in this way: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,” (Ephesians 3:20)
- Wealth isn’t an accumulation of money or material possessions. True prosperity is wholeness, shalom which means “nothing missing, nothing broken.”
- Purpose has little to do with vocational interests, profession, or skill sets. We were not designed to find our identity or life purpose in work pursuits, but rather in relationships—first with God and then, with His children.
- Stewardship describes our relationship to everything God has created. We are not owners, nothing belongs to us and nothing will go with us when we leave this life. Knowing that we are simply caring for this world on behalf of the true owner and master makes a huge difference in our behavior and priorities.
- Promotion is not the outward indication of our talent, ability, cleverness or influence. It isn’t to be sought after for self-satisfaction nor viewed as a goal in itself. God promotes and establishes who will assume leadership roles. In His Kingdom it is a promotion to go into dark places and bring the gospel to the lost. While the world strives to get to the top, to be at the front, our Master had this to say: “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:26-28)
If you desire to live as His ambassador, speak it out:
- I am not moved by what I see or feel. I am moved only by the Word of God.
- By faith I represent God’s eternal perspective in today’s chaotic workplace. I am salt and light.
- My loyalty is not divided. I serve the true, three-person God— the Father, His Son, and the indwelling Holy Spirit.