Kingdom Living by Dr. Dennis Mugimba.
1) The Kingdom life is a lifestyle of love.
2) 1 Samuel 24:16-20, “16 So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, “Is this your voice, my son David?” And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. 17 Then he said to David: “You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. 18 And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me. 19 For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. 20 And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand.”
a) David rewarded King Saul with good instead of evil
b) As children of God, part of how God shall reward us depends on how we treat those who are against us.
c) It is God’s will that human beings should not take vengeance in their own hands because vengeance is of the Lord.
d) The way we treat those against is will determine how quickly we get to our divine promises.
e) Although human nature tends to drive us towards an eye-for-eye; this is not so in God’s Kingdom.
f) We will land in trouble if we want to take matters into our own hands; yet God has said that vengeance is His.
3) We are supposed to bless those who persecute us – a conduct that is contrary to what the world tells us to do.
4) Our ability to let go of people that are hurting us is good for our health. A bitter heart cannot seek the Lord diligently because bitterness cannot stand in the Presence of God.
a) Bitterness opens the door for the enemy to enter into our lives.
b) We have to learn to forgive and let go; and move on.
5) Luke 6:27-28, “27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, [a]hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
a) To love out enemies and do good to those who hate us us a Kingdom-living requirement.
b) It is difficult to do good unless you have overcome bitterness in your heart because you cannot do good unless good is in your heart.
c) We will land in trouble if we fail to understand that vengeance is of God.
6) We can do good without being equally yoked with those who are practicing evil.
a) We can do acts of sacrifice for our enemies without getting entangled in their acts of enmity.
b) Doing good is part of laying down one’s life for those doing evil to you. For instance, you can pray for them, you can be kind, etc.
7) Remember that God sends rain to both the righteous and the sinners
a) Therefore, pray for blessing on all people – that is Kingdom-living.
b) Luke 6:29 challenges us to do good to everyone; including those doing evil against you.
8) If we don’t understand that vengeance is of God, we shall mess up when God entrusts us with His authority.
9) The Kingdom lifestyle is a lifestyle of love.
10) Without persecution, we won’t qualify to enter certain realms of glory.
a) It is how we go through the persecution that counts.
b) If we develop bitterness during suffering; then the suffering will do more harm to us.
11) God has called us to live a lifestyle that is completely counter to what the world has been telling us.
12) If we fail to understand the concept of not taking vengeance into our own hands, then we shall mess up when God hands us our promises.
13) Isaiah 30:18. “Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you; and therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for Him.”
a) The reason God gives the evil person time is that he may also receive grace and mercy.
b) Always pray for your enemies that mercy may prevail over judgment.
c) The grace of God is not a preserve of the righteous.
14) Let us love our enemies; not because we are expecting something in return, rather it is a requirement of us. Then in doing so, we shall be greatly rewarded – Luke 6:33.
15) By loving our enemies, we are imitating our Father in Heaven who loved us when we were still sinners.