As we set out to raise the King - in a boy, and in a man - we should begin with the heart of a King... Far too many books have been written on leadership principles and strategies, and I am not going to try to add to that mass here. What we need is the heart of a King, and what better place to look than to our King". Jesus came and died on the cross, Easter was the main focus of His mission, but He did something besides die for us. Jesus lived for us, and gave us an example of how to live life. Jesus lived in such a way that Revelation says he is worthy (Revelation 5).
"Worthy. That is different from, say, entitled, as the firstborn is entitled to the throne. Different also from gifted. Jesus is the Firstborn, and through him all things were created, but when he comes to the throne there is an overwhelming sense that he is worthy to be King." Jesus sits on the throne simply because He is the only one worthy to. Yes, He is entitled to it, and yes, He is gifted enough to take it, but He doesn't grasp it. I love what Paul says in Philippians 2, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (verses 3-11).
That is the heart of the King. He sets His right aside to serve and save His people. And because of that He is highly exalted to His rightful place, and in His life, we see the model we are to follow. "First, that we should seek the character before we seek the office. A man should be measured by the way he has lived, prior to coming to the throne... Jesus is worthy to take the throne because he has earned it. Just look at his noble heart before he ascends the throne: He has an incorruptible integrity... He is immensely kind... He is humble... He is generous... He is just."
Those are the qualities that are most essential to a King. Incorruptible integrity keeps him from compromising and taking a bribe. Kindness allows his people to love and trust him. Humility keeps him focused on the goal and the King of kings. Generosity allows him to provide for his people. Justice is essential to keeping order. If a King wants to rule well he has to have these characteristics, and it will be said of him that he is noble, and noble is what we are to strive for.
If you look up noble in the dictionary you'll see the first part of the definition describes people who most likely aren't worthy of the title. It talks about titles and ancestry. it captures the idea of entitlement, but not necessarily worthiness. But once you get to the end of the list you'll find these, "of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence; admirable in dignity of conception, manner of expression, execution, or composition". That is what we are after. And it is crucial that we know it is possible.
I've heard more times than I care to remember that "We sin everyday in word, thought, and deed." Let me be, perhaps, the first to say, it's a lie. It goes right next to "I'm just a sinner saved by grace." When we trust God we become His children, and the Holy Spirit comes to live within us and empowers us to live above sin. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh" (Galatians 5.16). A King is not a sinner saved by grace who sins everyday in word, thought, and deed. A King is a noble child of God who has been redeemed and empowered to live a righteous life. Nobility is what we are after, and nobility is possible.
"Despite what the church may have told you, a man may have a noble heart. Jesus says so himself: 'But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop. (Luke 8:15 NIV)'... Let no false humility keep you from your birthright. Let me say it again: a man may have a noble heart."
When we begin to think along these lines, and begin to live like we believe them it changes the way we live. "It allows us to ask a new kind of question, when we are faced with any situation: 'What is the noble thing to do?' It's a far better question than simply, 'What is the expedient thing to do?' or, as I am apt to ask, 'How can I get out of this quickly?' 'What is the noble thing to do?' awakens the noble heart, arrests our attention, arouses our courage."
Remember nobility is "having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals." It is incorruptible character, kindness, humility, generosity, and justice. What would your life look like if you lived that way? How would you handle the day to day situations? What is the noble thing to do? This journey leads us to Kingship, and if we desire to be Kings who are loved and spoken well of our nobility must be more than simply an office. It must be a heart matter. "And notice - the noble heart is found in the one who perseveres, which brings us back to the Stages." This journey is about the heart, and therefore about nobility.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
No comments:
Post a Comment