Changing mindsets to live for the King in his Kingdom
Often the proclamation of the gospel focuses only on personal salvation. Doing so, however, risks losing sight of its larger context: the Kingdom of God.
Jesus did not come only to take care of our moral, physical, financial or psychological condition. He came first of all to reopen his Kingdom to the men he calls to be part of his family and to cooperate responsibly with him.
Personal salvation is the act of love, the immense and indispensable gift that redeems our “fallen” condition, reconciles us to God and makes people of “good will” (who want to be faithful to him, trust him and rely on him) fit for his Kingdom.
A different reference system
It is difficult for us to think about life as citizens of a kingdom would think about it. Living in the Kingdom means adopting an absolute reference system that collides with the selfishness and relativism of modern society.
Our society is governed by very different social, economic and political dynamics. We are used to electing rulers, defending private property, and prevailing over those who do not think like us in order to survive in a hostile environment.
In this context, it becomes normal to construct one’s own interpretation of reality, functional to personal survival. Underlying this is selfishness, the fear of succumbing and losing control of one’s life.
Hence the idea of developing a personal justice system that takes self-love into account, possibly by controlling and manipulating circumstances and people.
The result is a fragmented society composed of as many reference systems as there are individuals. This breeds relativism and eclecticism, also improperly called ecumenism by some. Where anything goes, so long as what I think is the truth.
In the conflict between systems, one must prevail. And the individual struggles in order not to succumb.
The Kingdom’s reference system
What, then, is your reference system?
In an absolute kingdom, citizens must assume the reference system of their ruler. Only then can they see, interpret and experience reality as he does.
In the Kingdom of God, this is not an outward obligation but a liberation: our mind, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, no longer desires to think differently from the King, because it discovers that his will is the truth that sets us free: in the Kingdom, the King is the law, justice, the source of resources, protection from enemies
In short, we succumb in God’s Kingdom if we persist in remaining separated from his will and government; not if we do not prevail over others.
God is the absolute King of the universe, spiritual and earthly. Only by adopting the “Jesus model”-his principles, values, thoughts and actions-can we read reality according to God’s standards.
Only in this way can we give life a meaning and response that is congruent with our identity as children of God and citizens of his Kingdom.
Seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness
Kingdom and justice of God are inseparable. This is at the heart of Matthew 6:33, which indicates the priorities needed to live in harmony with God’s reference system.
Without this alignment comes an incompatibility that makes it impossible to remain in His Kingdom.
So let us make an honest examination: is our reference system compatible with Jesus’?
The contrast with the world
Jesus’ reference system is in total contrast to that of the world. It frees us from the anxiety of life by imposing a higher ethical standard: loving enemies and acting good not because of merit, but because it is the natural logic of those who depend entirely on the King.
In Luke 6, for example, Jesus commands:
- Love your enemies.
- Do good to those who hate you.
- Bless those who curse you.
- Pray for those who persecute you.
- Offer the other cheek.
- Do not demand back what is taken from you.
- Lend without hope of getting back.
Jesus’ system does not require us to “think well” of others, but it does lead us to act good toward them, with love.
That superior and divine love that is patient, kind, humble, selfless, mild, never immoderate, that does not envy, does not boast, rejoices in truth and justice.
In an absolute realm, living according to the King’s model is not about feeling good or earning credit or merit. It is simply natural and logical.
It gives glory to the King, on whom his citizens entirely depend and to whom nations look to see him reflected in their way of life.
The conflict is inevitable: the Kingdom of God is in full collision with the world and thus with those who belong to it who, however, only by seeing the contrast can consciously choose one or the other system of life.
Kingdom and religiosity: a conflict
This contrast unfortunately also involves many Christians, who live a split life. They try to reconcile God with a life oriented to their own interests. But this does not work.
The “religious” believer attempts to obey God in order to please him or use him, seeking, often unknowingly, to obtain what he thinks he needs to survive according to his system of reference: from forgiveness to resources; from interpersonal relationships to protection.
In doing so, he tries to reconcile the irreconcilable and justify his own efforts.
The roots of religiosity: a proposal for reflection
But where does this confusion come from?
Our tendency to seek compromise and our own usefulness is rooted in human religiosity, born out of separation from God after being removed from the Garden of Eden.
God dwelt with the men who cultivated and guarded the sacred space and from God received wisdom to govern the land they were to fill with his glory.
But because of the rebellion, man lost eternal life and God’s abiding presence in the sacred space where he coexisted with men.
Once outside Eden, death and separation from God led men to make sacrifices. As if rebellion necessitated a cost so that what had been lost could be restored. Exactly, a “sacrifice.”
Abel had faith when he offered his sacrifice and was justified for it (Heb. 11:4). He had faith that he could be “saved” from death and return to God’s presence, to his Kingdom. He expressed his faith by sacrificing lambs, as a figure of Jesus’ sacrifice. I propose to read Abel’s attempt as directed to recognize that life is sacred and that a life must be sacrificed in order to have life in God’s Kingdom.
Instead, Cain offered fruits of the earth. No mention is made of his faith in doing this. I propose to read Cain’s attempt as directed to please God in order to have his benevolence and survive in an environment that has now become hostile. Some food must be sacrificed in order to have … food. Things, not life.
At the heart of this distinction is the contrast between Abel’s and Cain’s sacrifice: Abel offered in faith, recognizing the sacredness of life; Cain offered to please God utilitarianally. God appreciated Abel’s sacrifice, but not Cain’s.
It follows that a sacrifice cannot be offered without faith in the restoration of God’s eternal Kingdom. Sacrifice pleasing to God cannot be materially utilitarian. Nor dictated by the fear of succumbing in life and the need to appeal to God’s supernatural power to “persuade” Him to provide the necessities of subsistence.
This is the root of religiosity, manipulative, trying to corrupt God with personal sacrifices:
“I try to do something that is a sacrifice for me, to bear a personal cost and deprive myself of something of value in order to please God or repay him; I try to do well the things that I think will ingratiate me with God: if I give him something or do well, he will certainly take an interest in me and give me what I need.”
This religious mentality can manifest among Christians attitudes such as, “I will be good, I will give money, I will fast, I will pray more,” with the hope that, in return, God will not deny help.
The problem certainly lies not in right morality, prayer or offering per se, signs of faith, but in the manipulative heart of those who use them to ‘buy’ God. Such a sacrifice establishes a utilitarian and manipulative relationship, as if God could be interested in humans only if bribed with sacrifices. In the final analysis, such a motivation is identical to that of those who, in every culture, ancient or modern, have worshipped or worship other gods: to do something-and do it ritualistically well-in order to get something in return from the “god on duty” who has the supernatural power to give it to me.
Changing mentality
Jesus, called by John the Lamb of God, offered his life to give us life. His sacrifice removed the barrier between God and man. The veil of the temple has been rent asunder, the way back into God’s presence has been reopened, we have been given back life, the resurrection life, which has the power to overcome death.
God could thus return to reign over mankind: anyone who became faithful to Jesus could enter the Kingdom of God and be part of it by adoption as a son.
Jesus’ first public words make the point clear:
“Change your mindset (metanoia), for the Kingdom of God has come near” (Mt. 4:17).
Many translate the word “change your mindset,” which in Greek is “metanoia,” with repent. But “metanoia” has a broader meaning than simply repenting for one’s sins. It essentially means radically changing the way of thinking and living, which of course includes repentance.
Only in this way does it become normal and logical to pray for an enemy, to desire his good and to do everything to do it.
Changing our mindset means returning to God with our whole selves, to see life with his eyes and to cooperate with him so that life flourishes on earth to his glory. This is necessary to love God (cf. Mt. 22:37-38).
In the Kingdom of Heaven one does not try to survive by having things.
He is the King who cares for the needs of His citizens (Sl. 23:1) for His name’s sake and for our sake (Mt. 6:33).
Rather, in the Kingdom of Heaven, one wants to cooperate responsibly with the King so that his kingdom expands from heart to heart and the conquered territory becomes the domain of the Great Ruler, the unreachable, unsurpassable and invincible Lord Jesus Christ, who is God, the Most High (cf. Mt. 28:19-20).
The good news of the Kingdom
Coming to earth in human form, sacrificing Himself on the cross, rising from the dead and sitting on the throne in heaven, Jesus Christ reversed the three great rebellions that took place at the initiative of the principalities, powers, rulers of this world of darkness, and the evil forces of the spiritual dimension (Eph. 6:12), with the adherence of selfish and proud men.
Where there had been separation from God and death (Gen. 3), Jesus brought man back into the presence of God and to man eternal life.
Where the escalation of perversion had led men to continually conceive only evil (Gen. 6), the Holy Spirit brought a new heart inclined toward good and capable of doing God’s will.
Where there had been division and dispersion of the human family, which ended up worshipping other gods, Jesus sat on the throne of heaven as the King of all nations, and the Holy Spirit leads the church in the fulfillment of the Messiah’s great mission: to bring all nations back under his sovereign rule in his unshakable Kingdom (Mt. 28:18-20; Ac. 1:8).
This is the good news: the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!
No more sacrifices are needed to be reunited with God, to be admitted into his presence, to have eternal life, to be able to do good and to cooperate with him in the execution of his will.
The way is open.
Life has been returned.
The truth has been demonstrated.
Those who belong to the Kingdom are loyal to their King, depend on him and live by him.
Religion continues to exist only because this the good news of the Kingdom of God is often unknown or distorted.
Living as citizens of the Kingdom
Our task is to proclaim the Kingdom of God and, supported and guided by the Holy Spirit, on his behalf and bearing his image, to be good stewards of creation. This is not a work of our own strength, but the result of his Spirit working in us. A citizen of the Kingdom lives knowing that God is with him and that wherever he is he represents the King to bring divine order to the world that lies under the power of the evil one, where chaos reigns, spreading the glory and knowledge of God.
How can we ever still be compatible with the old mentality of survival in an enemy world and through our own efforts?
If we work only for money, we have not yet changed our mentality.
A citizen of the Kingdom works knowing that God is with him and that wherever he is he represents the King. He brings order according to divine wisdom and makes a difference.
We are ambassadors of the King and his royal priests, called to prosper life to the glory of God so that knowledge of him may be expanded among people of every nation.
The Kingdom is alive and requires responsibility.
No more passivity and mediocrity.
No more selfishness.
No more personal justice.
No more self-love.
Every area of life-work, family, parenting-is a place to manifest the Kingdom.
I am with you
God is the King and takes care of us.
Not by magic, but because we are His children, citizens of His Kingdom and His representatives on earth.
Jesus made this clear:
Don’t worry … don’t be anxious about life … don’t look for things to live … life is worth more than things … “Seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness, and everything else will be given you in addition” (Mt 6:33).
To fully live the life of the Kingdom of God requires understanding the nature of religion and saying, “I don’t want you anymore. I want to live faithfully for God and carry out the mission He has given me.”
The Kingdom of Heaven works.
It is a system superior to any other because its king is the Most High, above any spiritual or human being.
The way is open.
Each of us is the hope that this message will be made visible and a witness of Jesus the King will be given to every person we meet.
Let us therefore live for the glory of God.
Let us allow the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts.
We adopt the reference system of Jesus.
And we make the Kingdom visible wherever we are.
Maurizio Tiezzi