Your kingdom come.

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

(Matthew 6:10)

 

The Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven may be understood as the realm of God’s sovereignty, presence, and influence in our lives. The Kingdom of God is not defined by geographic boundaries, such as the United Kingdom, but rather God’s kingdom is understood to be the place where God’s will and purpose is fully realized in the lives of those committed to following and living into the teachings of Jesus the Christ.

There is a rather disappointing tendency in a great deal of devotional material to focus on rewards for doing God’s will. Literally, reward refers to pay for service. So . . .I do God’s will to receive some future reward?

While it is true that Jesus taught when disciples are persecuted for following him we are to “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,” (Matthew 5:12 emphasis added), when understood in the light of the definition presented above, we are not being paid for services rendered.

It is troublesome when Christians make the assumption that we do God’s will so we can go to heaven. Let me be clear. I am not discounting heaven. However, I do not choose to do God’s will with the expectation of a heavenly reward. Rather, I do God’s will because I love God and want to live in a way that pleases God. Reward should not enter the equation.

Yes, I mean it. No streets of gold. No pearly gates. No mansions. Just obedience.

If Jesus taught us to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” it must mean that we are to live now as we would live in heaven. This has practical implications for every aspect of our lives. When the kingdom of God comes on earth, it means that we treat others, our neighbors, sisters and brothers, as God would treat them. It means that we practice justice, and mercy.

We need to set aside our obsession with rewards and instead live as Christ would live if he were living our life. Yes, I want to hear, “Well done.” But my point is to live each day as a citizen of God’s kingdom on earth.

When my children were in elementary school I served a term as president of the PTO. One of the responsibilities was to organize an annual fund-raising event. The proceeds from the sale were to buy playground equipment or new computers. Sounds like a great benefit to the students. There were parents who refused to allow their children to participate unless they received a prize for sales. Really? New computers, new playground equipment isn’t prize enough. Improving the quality of educational opportunities and recreational access isn’t enough? Nope. I need a reward.

We aren’t that much different. Apparently, the only reason to love my neighbor is to receive some heavenly recognition. How about loving my neighbor and treating her as Jesus would, because it is the right and just thing to do? My grandmother used to make “care” packages for shut ins. She wasn’t expecting praise or thanks. The gifts came from a heart filled with love for God which was lived out in loving actions toward others.

The “reward” is not a mansion in heaven, but rather a living relationship with God, through the life of Jesus the Son, empowered by the Holy Spirit. When I live into this relationship, I am rewarded daily by the presence and power of God. Yes, I experience disappointment, failure, and sorrow. But these circumstances do not control me because my life is an ongoing relationship with God. God is the controlling and sustaining presence in the life of a disciple of Jesus.