THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE 

THE KINGDOM LIFESTYLE: IT’S ABOUT COMMENDING AND COMPLEMENTING – NOT ABOUT COMPARING! 

For those who compare are not wise in the grace – that’s the fundamental truth of the Gospel, irrespective to all. In the realm of grace by the Holy Spirit, kingdom affairs and lifestyle are about ensuring God’s goodwill in each other, not self-gratification at the expense of another through comparison, undermining God’s graciousness and gracefulness in another. 

The kingdom advancement of God is to keep the enemy at bay for God’s glory and humanity’s good; it’s not in the hands of any individual, no matter how highly men applaud them. Instead, it’s about God’s approval, accreditation, attestation and commendation, as seen in Christ Jesus. God’s approval is possible for all in the grace through THE WORD, except one is REPROBATE to the TRUTH of the Gospel of our God in Christ Jesus’ stead. 

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man ACCREDITED and POINTED OUT and ATTESTED [APPROVED] to you by God with [the power to perform] miracles and wonders and signs which God worked through Him in your [very] midst, just as you yourselves know” Acts 2:22/Amplified. 

“Study and DO your best to present yourself to God APPROVED, a workman [TESTED by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, ACCURATELY handling and SKILLFULLY teaching THE WORD OF TRUTH” 2 Timothy 2:15/Amplified. 

“EXAMINE yourselves, WHETHER ye be in THE FAITH; PROVE your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, EXCEPT YE BE REPROBATES?” 2 Corinthians 13:5 

Therefore, don’t give in to the Licentiousness of men’s applause, comparing yourself to fellow Believers or Ministers in the Gospel of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ. For those who indulge in such comparison are unwise having deviated from the faith of the Gospel. They are creating envy, strife, malice, and affliction, hindering the goodwill of others in the kingdom as it’s written: 

“Some indeed PREACH Christ even from ENVY and STRIFE, and some also from GOODWILL: 16 The former preach Christ from SELFISH AMBITION, NOT SINCERELY, supposing to ADD AFFLICTION to my chains; 17 but the latter out of LOVE, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in PRETENSE or in TRUTH, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” Philippians 1:15-18/NKJV. 

I pray that humility rules and reigns, submitting to the Kingdom cause of our God. For our God exalts the humble and despises pride and arrogance in the grace [1 Peter 5:5-7; James 4:6]. 

Be Blessed in the grace, with the spirit of complimenting and commending one another in the grace. 

SELAH – PAUSE AND THINK. 

SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN THE CONTEXT: 

“Look at [this obvious fact] which is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him reflect and remind himself that even as he is Christ’s, so too are we. 8 For even though I boast rather freely about our power and authority, which the Lord gave for your upbuilding and not for demolishing you, yet I shall not be put to shame [for exceeding the truth], 9 Neither would I seem to be overawing or frightening you with my letters; 10 For they say, His letters are weighty and impressive and forceful and telling, but his personality and bodily presence are weak, and his speech and delivery are utterly contemptible (of no account). 11 Let such people realize that what we say by letters when we are absent, [we put] also into deeds when we are present – 12 Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely. 13 We, on the other hand, will not boast beyond our legitimate province and proper limit, but will keep within the limits [of our commission which] God has allotted us as our measuring line and which reaches and includes even you. 14 For we are not overstepping the limits of our province and stretching beyond our ability to reach, as though we reached not (had no legitimate mission) to you, for we were [the very first] to come even as far as to you with the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. 15 We do not boast therefore, beyond our proper limit, over other men’s labors, but we have the hope and confident expectation that as your faith continues to grow, our field among you may be greatly enlarged, still within the limits of our commission, 16 So that [we may even] preach the Gospel in lands [lying] beyond you, without making a boast of work already done in another [man’s] sphere of activity [before we came on the scene]. 17 However, let him who BOASTS and GLORIES boast and glory in the Lord. 18 For [it is] not [the man] who praises and COMMENDS himself who is APPROVED and ACCEPTED, but [it is the person] whom the Lord ACCREDITS and COMMENDS” 2 Corinthians 10:7-18/Amplified.  

SUMMARY: 

The message emphasises the importance of living a kingdom lifestyle that focuses on commending and complementing others, rather than comparing oneself to others. Comparison is unwise and can lead to envy, strife, malice, and affliction, ultimately hindering the goodwill of others in the kingdom. 

Key Principles: 

1. God’s Approval is Key: The kingdom advancement of God is not about individual achievements or seeking human applause, but about God’s approval, accreditation, attestation, and commendation. 
2. Humility is Essential: Humility is crucial for kingdom living, as God exalts the humble and despises pride and arrogance. 
3. Comparison is Unwise: Comparing oneself to others is unwise and deviates from the faith of the Gospel. 
4. Focus on God’s Goodwill: Kingdom affairs and lifestyle should focus on ensuring God’s goodwill in each other, rather than self-gratification. 

Scriptural Foundation: 

• The message is supported by various scripture references, including: 

• Acts 2:22 (Jesus accredited and approved by God) 

• 2 Timothy 2:15 (Approved workman handling the Word of Truth) 

• 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Examine yourselves, prove your own selves) 

• Philippians 1:15-18 (Preaching Christ with envy and strife vs. goodwill) 

• 2 Corinthians 10:7-18 (Boasting in the Lord, not self-commendation) 

Call to Action: 

• Don’t give in to the licentiousness of men’s applause 

• Focus on commending and complementing others 

• Seek God’s approval, not human applause 

• Cultivate humility and submit to the Kingdom cause of God 

Prayer and Blessing: 

The message concludes with a prayer for humility to rule and reign, and a blessing for believers to have the spirit of complementing and commending one another in the grace 

REV. CHUKIE MORSI