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     Jesus church is actually His kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19), which began in its fullness 10 days after He ascended into heaven (Acts 2).  Thirty years later, the apostle Paul acknowledged its existence on earth (Colossians 1:13).  Like all kingdoms, there are royal edicts to be followed to establish and maintain the order the king envisions.  Last week we considered the eternal consequence of a citizen trying to glorify Jesus his way instead of following the royal edicts (Matthew 7:21-23).

     The failing of mankind, sometimes by rebellion, but more often by ignorance is to follow his feelings, i.e., does what he feels is acceptable to Jesus.  In 2001, Barna, the religious pollster, surveyed Americans about going to heaven.  Over half believe if they do enough good, they will go to heaven.  This notion is essentially earning or deserving heaven by one’s own doings, which implies Jesus died for nothing.  This common attitude is self deception.  We humans do one thing very well – deceive ourselves.  No matter how much good one does, he can not atone for sin!  However this does not mean a citizen of Jesus kingdom can be apathetic regarding his life as a Christian.

     Jesus warned the church at Laodicea – “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I could wish you were cold or hot.  So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16).  The Laodiceans were condemned because their attitude was apathy.  Those Christians were not living for Jesus.  They were not on fire for Jesus.  One wonders if they were even thankful for their salvation.

     That Jesus admonishes citizens to be hot for Him means they are to be zealous for Him.  Citizens who are zealous recognize the unfathomable love the King has for them, having sacrificed Himself to pay the price for their sins, to restore fellowship with God and inherit eternal life.  Their zeal to follow the King’s edicts stems from gratitude from the depth of their spirits, having received eternal salvation.  Paul wrote to Christians, “...we also pray...that our God would count you worthy of this calling....that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you,....” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12).  Grasping the depth of Jesus love and the preciousness of salvation from sin, and nearly unfathomable gift of eternal life should stir an unwavering zeal for Jesus.  Read that “hot” for Jesus and to become like Him!

     Citizens of Jesus kingdom are warned not to deceive themselves – “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).  Jesus kingdom has a lot of hearers.  James admonished the citizens of the kingdom to actively obey Jesus royal edict – the word.

     Implicitly, each Christian must study the New Testament to know how the king wants the citizen to obey Him, and in doing so glorify Him in his own life.  Jesus pronounced in His sermon on the mount, “You are the light of the world....  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

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