The Kingdom of God is Not Meat and Drink, But Righteousness, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghost - Part 1252

"Happy is he that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows ..." (Romans 14:22)

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost for he that in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men." (Romans 14:17-18)

But often, there are those who want to judge us because of our faith journey, holding Christians to a higher standard of morality within the body of Christ. And, in so doing, these attempt to make us accountable under their own understanding of Jesus' teachings. Certainly, even the world is quick to cite the scripture, "Judge not that ye be not judged." (Matthew 7:1)

But there is much more to Jesus' teaching here than judging and this teaching is equally applicable to each and every one of us who profess Jesus to be our Lord. Yes, Jesus told us not to judge that we be not judged. But He also immediately explained His statement by adding, "with what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged, and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. [Therefore] why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considers not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or, how wilt thou say to thy brother, "Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye, and behold, a beam is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-4)

These are all good questions.

Part of comprehending our standing within the body of Christ comes from abiding in Jesus. Not just one day a week, but every day of the week. You see, when we choose to love Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, (and as the scribe pointed out -- in understanding too we learn from receiving His love how to love one another. We learn to reach out to others because of the price Jesus willingly paid with His shed blood. And, in so doing, Jesus teaches us how to receive those that are weak in the faith.

Not to doubtful disputations, but with the unmerited love and forgiveness that Jesus has bestowed upon us. That is, "give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)

In other words, still, "judge not that ye be not judged" but in the context of going one step further in our love. Beyond the call of duty. If a man sue thee at the law and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Do you see what Jesus is saying here?

"Be ye merciful, as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:36) "Give to him that asks thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thine enemy." But I [Jesus] say unto you, "Love your enemies. Bless them that curse you. Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you -- that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 6:42-44)

Why is this important? Because God already makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, sending rain to both the just and the unjust. But He wants us to go one step further in our love. This is why He calls us to love our enemies. To stand in the offering plate with Jesus.

"For if we love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? Do not even the publicans so?" (Matthew 6:46-47)

This is why as believers in Jesus by faith, we should "condemn not" so that "ye shall not be condemned" and to forgive so that "ye shall be forgiven." (Luke 6:37)

Remember Peter? The same apostle that denied the Lord Jesus Christ three times? Well, he comes to Jesus and asks, "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?" What did Jesus say unto him, "I say not unto thee, "until seven times, but, until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22)

To illustrate this point, Jesus then shares a parable about the kingdom of heaven, likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him which owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

But the servant therefore fell down, and worshiped the king, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all." Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion and loosed him, and forgave the debt. But the same servant went out and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him an hundred pence, and he laid hands on him, taking him by the throat, saying, "Pay me what thou owes"

And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying. "Have patience with me and I will pay thee all." But he would not and thus, cast the servant into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellow servant saw what was done, they were very sorry and came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desires me. Shouldest not thou also have compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?"

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. "So likewise shall My heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Matthew 18:23-35)

Indeed, "let not him that eats despise him that eats not, and let not him which eats not judge him that eats, for God hath received him. "Who art thou that judges another man's servant? To his own master he stands or falls Yea, he shall be holden up, for God is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:1-4)

This is why Jesus went on to say, "Thou hypocrite, first cast the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." (Matthew 7:6)

But if the accusers do not receive your love, know that these same have judged you already, and no matter what you do, their judgement will not be changed. Thus, "give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and rend you." (Matthew 7:6)

But to those who love the Lord Jesus with all your heart, soul, mind, strength and understanding, let "the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

Stand in the offering plate.