“Change your mind, the Kingdom of Heaven is here, believe the good news (gospel)” (Mark 1:15). This was the first message of John the Baptist, Jesus and His disciples. It was the Gospel, and still is; the good news is that the rule of King Jesus has arrived and He is Lord of the whole earth. “But we thought Rome had to be gone first”. Change your mind! ‘Isn’t our first loyalty to our national government?” Change your mind! “Isn’t that a little subversive?” Yes! It got John the Baptist and Paul beheaded, and Jesus crucified. “Can’t the Kingdom be the same as the national government?” Change your mind! Constantine already tried that. “Isn’t it just a spiritual kingdom that we hold in our hearts?” Change your mind! It will affect most everything we do and think. It calls for us to reorder our priorities. “Seek first God’s rule and reign among you, along with His righteousness (i.e. Jesus’ teachings, compassionate mercy, restorative justice.) and all you need will be added to you” (Paraphrase of Matthew 6:33). Change your mind! It’s time to live, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.”
September 17, 2019|Categories: Christ, Devotionals, Evangelism, Gospel, Kingdom of God, Repentance|Tags: A Mind Changing Transformation, Beheaded, Gospel, John the Baptist, National government, Repent|
About the Author: H. Lamar Smith
Native of Alabama. Graduated from Valley High School, Valley, AL. Graduate of Trevecca Nazarene College, 1966. Graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University, M.A. 1992. Pastored churches in Tennessee, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Alabama.