"...if we be honest with ourselves,
we shall be honest with each other." ~ George MacDonald
"...if we be honest with ourselves,
we shall be honest with each other." ~ George MacDonald

"Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."*

God's will will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. So what is God's kingdom like?

“Jesus' teaching reveals that the kingdom of God is an upside-down kingdom: the poor, not the rich, are part-owners in the kingdom; the meek, not the proud, inherit kingdom land; those that hunger after justice, not those that hunger after power, are filled with the bounty of the kingdom; the merciful, not the vindictive, receive favor from the judge of the kingdom; the pure in heart, not the self-seeking, have special access into the royal courts; and the peacemakers, not the warriors, are adopted as children of the king (Matt 5:3-11). Jesus teaches by word and example, moreover, that kingship in God's kingdom is not about "lording it over" others and having oneself acclaimed with lofty titles, as in human kingdoms, but instead about humble and costly service, giving one's life for the sake of others (Mark 10:41-45; Luke 22:24-27). Finally, as Jesus testifies, the kingdom of God, in visible contrast to the empire of Rome and all other kingdoms "from this world," is not established by violent force, but through suffering love and truthful witness (John 18:33-38a).” — Atonement, Justice, and Peace: The Message of the Cross and the Mission of the Church by Darrin W. Snyder Belousek

When we begin to trust and obey Jesus, we become subjects of his kingdom, and begin to set this world right. Being a servant in God's kingdom will mean helping the poor; but we must be careful how we help them. If we are not wise we may do more harm than good.

Give all your shillings you might
And hurt your brothers the more;
He only can serve his fellows aright
Who goes in at the little door.

We must do the thing we must
Before the thing we may;
We are unfit for any trust
Till we can and do obey. ( Willie's Question by George MacDonald)

 

* This is one of the lines in the Lord's Prayer.

Castle Warlock

The Quest for Cosmic Justice

 

The Poor