Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. But the Lord laid down a principle
which defines the difference between the realm of flesh and
blood and the kingdom of God. When he told Nicodemus, Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. When
men fail to see this stark divide, they can in no wise have any
understanding of either that which the Lord came to do, nor
how it is that men are made a part of that kingdom. Nicodemus, just
like all religious men, figured that there was some activity
which he could perform in the flesh which would enable him
to find a place of favor with God. He assumed that he could
learn the precepts of the Lord's teaching, just like he could
learn the precepts of any other field of study, and therefore
he sought a private word with the Lord. Yet the Lord plainly
told him that unless he was born again with a birth which had
its origin in heaven, just like he was born the first time in
flesh and blood, he could neither enter nor comprehend that kingdom
which the Lord came into the earth to establish. Paul told
the Corinthians the same thing when he said, The natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness
unto him. Neither can he know them, because
they are spiritually discerned. All of Adam's race are born with
the work of the law written on their hearts. This is demonstrated
each time a two-year-old child strikes back at another child
who has struck him over some toy that they both want. By nature,
men believe in the fleshly principle of an eye for an eye and a tooth
for a tooth. Every man believes that stealing is wrong when he
is the victim. The primary principle of the realm of flesh and blood
is to meet force with force, hatred with hatred, and to exact
justice against all perceived injustices. The Lord Jesus contrasts
these natural principles with those of His kingdom. He said,
Resist not evil. Turn the other cheek when smitten.
Pray for those that mistreat you. And if a man demands something
of you, give him more than he asked for. Every man by nature
recalls these teachings and can no more adopt them than a leopard
can change his spots or an Ethiopian the color of his skin. Apart
from the supernatural revelation, it is impossible that a man could
ever embrace these teachings or comprehend the spiritual nature
of them or the right application of them by the Spirit of God.
God's children are not called to be violent or vengeful, rather
to be as harmless as doves, more ready to forgive than to demand
justice or apologies. These principles are at the very
heart of the Lord's teaching of His disciples when He said,
But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant, and
whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased, and he that
shall humble himself shall be exalted. Paul said the same,
let nothing be done through strife or vain glory, but in lowliness
of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look
not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others. Let this mind be in you, which
was also in Christ Jesus. Even the man who is born again
will find that his flesh will chafe under these principles,
and constantly war against the law of his mind, seeking to bring
him under the bondage of the law of sin and death. Yet while
his flesh rages against these principles, there also burns
within him a desire to be conformed to the image of Christ, who alone
he sees as righteous before God. Religious men assume that the
Lord will be pleased by their efforts and deeds and will overlook
any shortcomings which they might demonstrate, since they are sincere
in their quest. Yet in this endeavor they demonstrate
an ignorance of the spiritual nature of these principles and
despise the perfect righteousness of Christ by going about to establish
their own righteousness. The principles of the kingdom
of God are directly opposite to those of the realm of flesh
and blood, and are designed to demonstrate to the sons of God
their absolute need of a performer. This is a kingdom of perfect
righteousness, and only the righteousness of Christ is sufficient. Fleshly
endeavor and the effort of free will, at its very best, will
never be of any value here. As a good religious man, Peter
was willing to demonstrate a certain level of forgiveness, but he
was quite shocked at the extent of the forgiveness required in
the kingdom of God. Jesus saith unto him, I say not
unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven.
The rich young ruler was a morally upright man who was interested
in gaining eternal life, yet he was utterly dismayed when
the Lord described to him the nature of perfection in his kingdom. Thou lackest one thing. Sell
all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt
have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me. Modern religious
merchandisers assure their hearers of great blessings, which can
be theirs by tithing and sowing seeds of faith, that is, money.
Yet the only acceptable principle of giving in this kingdom is
demonstrated by the widow who gave all that she had. Are you
a part of this kingdom? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.