Seven-Day Practical Faith Blog: The Kingdom Work Continues

Although this post is being released on Fri., Nov. 6, I am writing it before Tuesday's election, because I do not want the election results to have anything to do with what I have to say.

Most of us are feeling very uncertain, worried what life in our community, our state, and in the United States will be like if the side we didn’t vote for wins the election. In fact, we may also be concerned if the ones we voted for win!

I am here to assure you that the work of God's kingdom continues, regardless of the election's outcome.

What is that kingdom work? Christian denominations disagree these days exactly what it is, but in biblical tradition, there are three facets:

1. Proclaim the gospel – the good news of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:15, Acts 28:31)

2. Make disciples. (Matthew 28:19-20, John 3:5-7)

3. Demonstrate God’s reign by the way we Christians show our love to others, actively serve others, and live in righteous and holy ways. (Matthew 5:43-45, Matthew 25:35-40, Luke 6:31)

We may argue about the percentages and degrees of each of these, but I would plead that in our daily practical faith walks, all are equally important.

Our work is to bear witness to what God has already done through Jesus Christ, our slain Lamb and risen Redeemer. That work may not be obvious to everyone; in fact, God continues to work, even if that action is sometimes obscure even to Christians (Luke 13:18-21).

This is a time for those wanting to put their faith into practice to realize how our actions reveal Christ to others. If we claim to be Christians, then we are saying we are followers of Jesus. People who observe us wonder if we are Jesus-filled or not. They will decide that we are hypocrites not worthy of their time if we don’t seem to be infused with Jesus.

As followers of Jesus, we must learn what Jesus said; we must do what Jesus commanded; and we must stay in contact with Jesus to understand how to put his principles into practice each day.

So, let us renew our faith, individually and collectively. Let’s make sure Jesus is driving our beliefs turned into action. I’m sure Jesus has something to say to each of us about what is needed in our corners of the world right now. Let’s hear and do (James 1:22).

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