No. 526 Just for You One Nation Under God
BECOME PART OF GOD’S KINGDOM
JUST
YOU
FOR
TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).
REPENT OF YOUR SIN “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
CONFESS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32, 33).
BECOME PART OF A CHRISTIAN
BROTHERHOOD
“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). “We, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5).
RECEIVE POWER TO SERVE “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8). “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).
For additional information or requests contact:
FOLLOW HIM AS YOUR MASTER
Just for You is designed to bring YOU “a word in season” for varied experiences and personal needs. Keith Crider, Editor. Some articles are submitted by other writers. Published monthly by Christian Light Publications, P. O. Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22803-1212. Phone (540) 434-0768. Sent free within the U.S. and Canada to those who will use them profitably for the Lord’s glory. We also sell other tracts, pamphlets, and books; school curriculum for schools and homeschools; summer Bible school materials; Sunday school curriculum; and weekly story papers for all ages. See www.clp.org.
48m-5-14
A Nation Under God? Most U.S. citizens know the phrase one nation under God is in the pledge of allegiance. People have questioned whether the phrase should be there, for various reasons. There is one nation that truly is “under God.” Two thousand years ago, a Man from God proclaimed the coming of a new nation. His #526
first public teaching was simple: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The Man, of course, was Jesus. But what of the kingdom He proclaimed—this “kingdom of heaven”? Did He begin it? Where is it now? He did begin it. It is still here. Looking at Jesus’ teachings about His kingdom, we soon realize His kingdom is like no other. His present kingdom is spiritual; it has no physical territory. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). And, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!” (Luke 17:20, 21). His kingdom is entered only by choice. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). His kingdom has entrance and citizenship requirements. Jesus commanded, “Repent: for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Paul wrote, “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9). Life in the Eternal Kingdom Life in God’s kingdom is different. In fact, when Jesus’ disciples began to proclaim His kingdom, people accused them of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Here are a few of the upside-down things about life in this spiritual kingdom. Pride is out; humility is in. Jesus’ disciples once asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus pointed out a small child, and told them that whoever would “humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). Peter wrote, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Think of the implications! No more rat race, no more fretting about what others think of you, no more keeping up with the Joneses. Instead, just follow and live like the King, who “made himself of no reputation,” and “humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7, 8) to bring us into His kingdom. Selfishness is out; service is in. Jesus’ followers sometimes argued about which of them would be greatest in His kingdom. Jesus told them that in His kingdom the
Become a new creation in Christ. great men are not those with position and authority. “But whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister [servant]. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45). Again, think of the implications—no more struggling to climb the corporate ladder; no more sacrificing really important things in order to be looked up to, or to have higherpaying or more self-gratifying positions. Instead of the constant drive to get ahead, to feel fulfilled, to succeed, to be someone— you can drop all that and serve the King by giving yourself for others. A mere servant! Imagine the freedom that life in His kingdom produces! Things are out; Spirit is in. Spirituality is popular today. We know life is more than just the physical, that things do not satisfy. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that [gives life]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words
that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). He promised, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [your necessary physical needs] shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The Apostle Paul reminds us, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink [physical things]; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). You cannot enter this spiritual kingdom by joining a church, subscribing to a creed, or obeying rules. You can enter it only by believing God and obeying Jesus’ command to repent. The word repent means to change direction—to stop, turn around, and go the exact opposite direction. When we do that, God puts His Holy Spirit in us, recreates us, gives us new hearts, and makes us citizens of His kingdom. The Bible says we have all sinned and that we deserve eternal death because of our sin. Jesus died as the sacrifice for our sins and offers us eternal life in His kingdom through faith in Him.
Become a new citizen of God’s nation. To enter God’s kingdom, believe God and repent of your sin. He will give you spiritual life and make you a new creation, a member of His kingdom. Then join other citizens of His kingdom in a life of serving others through the power of God, “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).
JUST
YOU
FOR
TRUST IN JESUS CHRIST “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36). “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).
REPENT OF YOUR SIN “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
CONFESS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32, 33).
BECOME PART OF A CHRISTIAN
BROTHERHOOD
“Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:24, 25). “We, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5).
RECEIVE POWER TO SERVE “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8). “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Except a man be born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21).
For additional information or requests contact:
FOLLOW HIM AS YOUR MASTER
Just for You is designed to bring YOU “a word in season” for varied experiences and personal needs. Keith Crider, Editor. Some articles are submitted by other writers. Published monthly by Christian Light Publications, P. O. Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22803-1212. Phone (540) 434-0768. Sent free within the U.S. and Canada to those who will use them profitably for the Lord’s glory. We also sell other tracts, pamphlets, and books; school curriculum for schools and homeschools; summer Bible school materials; Sunday school curriculum; and weekly story papers for all ages. See www.clp.org.
48m-5-14
A Nation Under God? Most U.S. citizens know the phrase one nation under God is in the pledge of allegiance. People have questioned whether the phrase should be there, for various reasons. There is one nation that truly is “under God.” Two thousand years ago, a Man from God proclaimed the coming of a new nation. His #526
first public teaching was simple: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). The Man, of course, was Jesus. But what of the kingdom He proclaimed—this “kingdom of heaven”? Did He begin it? Where is it now? He did begin it. It is still here. Looking at Jesus’ teachings about His kingdom, we soon realize His kingdom is like no other. His present kingdom is spiritual; it has no physical territory. Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). And, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!” (Luke 17:20, 21). His kingdom is entered only by choice. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it” (Luke 16:16). His kingdom has entrance and citizenship requirements. Jesus commanded, “Repent: for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). Paul wrote, “The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9). Life in the Eternal Kingdom Life in God’s kingdom is different. In fact, when Jesus’ disciples began to proclaim His kingdom, people accused them of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). Here are a few of the upside-down things about life in this spiritual kingdom. Pride is out; humility is in. Jesus’ disciples once asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Jesus pointed out a small child, and told them that whoever would “humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:1-4). Peter wrote, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace
to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5). Think of the implications! No more rat race, no more fretting about what others think of you, no more keeping up with the Joneses. Instead, just follow and live like the King, who “made himself of no reputation,” and “humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7, 8) to bring us into His kingdom. Selfishness is out; service is in. Jesus’ followers sometimes argued about which of them would be greatest in His kingdom. Jesus told them that in His kingdom the
Become a new creation in Christ. great men are not those with position and authority. “But whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister [servant]. And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45). Again, think of the implications—no more struggling to climb the corporate ladder; no more sacrificing really important things in order to be looked up to, or to have higherpaying or more self-gratifying positions. Instead of the constant drive to get ahead, to feel fulfilled, to succeed, to be someone— you can drop all that and serve the King by giving yourself for others. A mere servant! Imagine the freedom that life in His kingdom produces! Things are out; Spirit is in. Spirituality is popular today. We know life is more than just the physical, that things do not satisfy. Jesus said, “It is the spirit that [gives life]; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words
that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). He promised, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [your necessary physical needs] shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). The Apostle Paul reminds us, “The kingdom of God is not meat and drink [physical things]; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (Romans 14:17). You cannot enter this spiritual kingdom by joining a church, subscribing to a creed, or obeying rules. You can enter it only by believing God and obeying Jesus’ command to repent. The word repent means to change direction—to stop, turn around, and go the exact opposite direction. When we do that, God puts His Holy Spirit in us, recreates us, gives us new hearts, and makes us citizens of His kingdom. The Bible says we have all sinned and that we deserve eternal death because of our sin. Jesus died as the sacrifice for our sins and offers us eternal life in His kingdom through faith in Him.
Become a new citizen of God’s nation. To enter God’s kingdom, believe God and repent of your sin. He will give you spiritual life and make you a new creation, a member of His kingdom. Then join other citizens of His kingdom in a life of serving others through the power of God, “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13).
