Living As God’s Representative

“From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”” (Matthew 4:17–19 LSB)  https://accordance.bible/link/read/LSB#Matt._4:17

 

What does the Christian man look like? How is a person to live before the One True God now that God has come to live among us as Jesus the Savior? What does God require of us all now that all of us have been included in His chosen people? First we are to repent from our life apart from God. This life apart from God was comprised of doing our own will, seeking our own way, living for our own reward. This life must end if we are to love God first and most. It is God’s life and God’s will that must consume us, prioritize our living, and determine our choices. Repenting means no longer building our own kingdom but turning to God and begin working on seeing His kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven. Second, this working on the kingdom of God is the following of Jesus as He fishes for men through us. We become the visible presentation of God’s work in the world as we share the work of God done for the world with those in the world. God is making His appeal for reconciliation with all people through His people who are following Him by denying themselves and carrying His message, using His means of love and humility. God is in business to save the world and His people who have repented from doing their own business now join God in His business of seeking and saving the lost until all people in all the world love God and obey all of His commands just as we ourselves are doing since we repented.

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