OUR CALLING TO GOD’S KINGDOM AND GLORY,
That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
The statement, “Thy kingdom come…” in Matthew 6:10 were the words of the Lord Jesus, in giving His disciples a format for prayer. That prayer has however been answered, for the Kingdom of God has come. It’s a real kingdom operating now on earth, and we’re a part of it: “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem…” (Hebrews 12:22). We’re not on our way to Zion; we’re there now.
The Bible says the Father “…hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). We’ve been called into the Kingdom of God, but our calling isn’t only about the Kingdom. We’ve been called unto His glory! These two aren’t separate: if we answered the calling for the Kingdom, we’ve answered the calling for the glory: “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). You were called to obtain glory. Hallelujah. This glory is an eternal one, meaning that difficult times may come, but they don’t suggest in any way, the termination of your glory.
That a Christian lost his job, for instance, doesn’t mean he’s out of the glory. This glory is eternal: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Peter 5:10). Blessed be God! God’s desire is for the good news about His Kingdom to have free course and be glorified, not only in you, but also in your town, city, and country: “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Give expression to His glory in your world. Spread the good news of Christ’s salvation. Let the world know that salvation in Christ Jesus is a calling to God’s Kingdom of glory, excellence, dominion and power.
Further Study:
Romans 8:30;
Hebrews 2:10;
2 Peter 1:3