Belonging - Day 32
Matthew 8:11 And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
What an amazing prophecy. And what a statement of belonging! What Jesus is saying is clear. The kingdom of Heaven is for everyone, not just for the Jews. Its gates are wide open to any who would believe, and there is room enough in his Father’s house for all of us. When we become gatekeepers of the kingdom of God, we stand in the way of those who would otherwise be let in with a resounding “welcome!”
We have an incredible opportunity to be the invitation into the kingdom for other people, to welcome them into the kingdom, and to share with them the grace that God has given to us. As we share this grace that we have been given, a greater portion, pressed down and overflowing, will be granted us. God will not have his people “run out” of grace, so never be stingy with the grace that you give to others.
I know I have said these things to you before. And I know that we have journeyed together for a long time when it comes to understanding what belonging is. I reiterate these things to you in order that we might always have it present in our minds what God has done for us and how that compels us to do the same for others. It is a virtuous cycle of love and grace that is needed in order for us to be able to perpetuate this cycle into other’s lives and so that we might be able to live in the grace God has given to us.
What gifts have you been given that continually refill rather than are depleted? There are not a lot of things in this life that work that way, but in the kingdom of God, very much works that way. Particularly, the grace, the belonging, and the hope that is given to us through Christ is that which is replenished daily. We know that his promises are made new every day, and so we are recognize those gifts and make sure that we are giving them to the world around us as well.
I love what Jesus says here, that many will come from all over the world. This means the church will continue to be a diverse and interesting. On earth, as it is in heaven.
What an amazing prophecy. And what a statement of belonging! What Jesus is saying is clear. The kingdom of Heaven is for everyone, not just for the Jews. Its gates are wide open to any who would believe, and there is room enough in his Father’s house for all of us. When we become gatekeepers of the kingdom of God, we stand in the way of those who would otherwise be let in with a resounding “welcome!”
We have an incredible opportunity to be the invitation into the kingdom for other people, to welcome them into the kingdom, and to share with them the grace that God has given to us. As we share this grace that we have been given, a greater portion, pressed down and overflowing, will be granted us. God will not have his people “run out” of grace, so never be stingy with the grace that you give to others.
I know I have said these things to you before. And I know that we have journeyed together for a long time when it comes to understanding what belonging is. I reiterate these things to you in order that we might always have it present in our minds what God has done for us and how that compels us to do the same for others. It is a virtuous cycle of love and grace that is needed in order for us to be able to perpetuate this cycle into other’s lives and so that we might be able to live in the grace God has given to us.
What gifts have you been given that continually refill rather than are depleted? There are not a lot of things in this life that work that way, but in the kingdom of God, very much works that way. Particularly, the grace, the belonging, and the hope that is given to us through Christ is that which is replenished daily. We know that his promises are made new every day, and so we are recognize those gifts and make sure that we are giving them to the world around us as well.
I love what Jesus says here, that many will come from all over the world. This means the church will continue to be a diverse and interesting. On earth, as it is in heaven.
- How can you give grace to someone today?
- What is the biggest gift that God has given you that is constantly replenished?
- Howe can Crosswalk help you realize and give your gifts?
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