GodReflection: Power Words

“The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed . . .  It will crush all those kingdoms and bring them to an end, but it will itself endure forever.” – Daniel

As a follower of Jesus, the meaning I give to words differs from the use of the non-disciple. It occurs to me that perhaps an interesting project would be to compile a Disciple’s Dictionary. The word “forever,” would be included.

The Christian sees meaning in forever far beyond the usage of the person in the street.

It is more than a long time with an ending. It is common practice to use forever in that sense. Christmas takes forever to arrive. We sometime say in jest that Aunt Minnie will live forever. The wait in line at the grocery store took forever. I even purchase forever stamps.

God defines forever as forever.

A theme of history is the rise and fall of kingdoms. Although it might seem like earthly governments and kingdoms last forever, their destination is always the archives of history.

The claim of an indestructible kingdom that will endure forever is an astounding claim.

Through the barn-birth, the life, the death, the resurrection, and visible ascension of King Jesus, the forever kingdom is among us. It will last forever.

If I am skeptical of the above sentence, I am free to move through life as I please. I can place my ladder on any wall I desire and start my climb.

However, if I believe the story of the forever kingdom and in the king who sits on the throne, then I can only place my ladder on the king’s wall.

Talk about a reality check.

By the way, if I believe the story, I will not have to exert the energy to climb the ladder. The king reaches down and transports me to the very top.

That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is the forever kingdom is for servants.I must become a servant.  I become a better resident as I serve the king and his subjects. There is only one king. The king is Jesus. It’s not me.

I cannot work my way into a forever existence. My security exists solely because of my relationship with the king. I cannot be a subject of the king without being his servant. Servants serve. Servants serve the king and his subjects. Servants get their hands dirty.

Even as I serve I cannot earn my salvation. It is a gift of the king. Only Jesus can save.

Participating in the forever kingdom places me on the playing field. Jesus sums it up by His charge to me to love God with everything that is within me and to love my neighbor as myself.

James, the earthly sibling of Jesus calls faith dead that does not act. His summation is active faith serves widows and orphans.

God’s gift of Jesus is free. Its cost is heavy. Its receipt is to receive joy forever.

God surrendered His Son. Jesus surrendered His life. I must surrender mine.

Forever is forever.

With everything in my better self, I want to be willing to meet the cost. I want to live with Him forever.

Forever is a motivating word of power that belongs in my Disciple’s Dictionary.

Stay tuned.

Dr. Gary J. Sorrells – A GodReflection on the Power Word Forever

Gary@GodReflection.org