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“The kingdom isn’t earned; it’s a gift. It flows from our generous Father’s love.”

A thought by Jon Tyson from his book, The Burden Is Light: Liberating Your Life from the Tyranny of Performance and Success (p. 55). The Crown Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

Now that is really good news, isn’t it?

Jon says, “At the end of the Gospels, Jesus pressed this point home. While he was preparing for the Passover, a dispute arose among the disciples as to which of them should be considered the greatest. How ironic. As Jesus was preparing the table of redemption centered on grace, the disciples were still competing for their place. Jesus rebuked them and reminded them that they were called to serve. And they could serve because the kingdom is conferred by grace, not earned by competition. Jesus told them, ‘You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’ (Luke 22:28-30) You don’t have to compete with others for what is already yours. There is a seat at the table with your name on it. Now use your privilege and position to welcome others in.”

He goes on, “Since Eden, all of us have been on a similar journey: facing down our insecurity, unsure of our worth in the world, using others as scaffolding to build ourselves up. We ache for that place where we are unconditionally loved and no longer need to prove our worth. But citizenship and success in any earthly society will never be enough. They will never fill our souls because the ache we feel is eternal. The kingdom we long for is a kingdom of grace, not a kingdom of works. The kingdom of God is a kingdom of mercy. Its only economy is love. And the road that leads us home is the road of humility and compassion, winding toward the Father who runs to greet us, removing the burden of performance and clothing us with the robe of acceptance and grace, a garment that fits perfectly for people like us. The pressure is off, and you have nothing to prove, so ‘fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.’ (Luke 12:32 ESV)

And that is really good news, isn’t it?


Yes, yes!

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