Taking the Lowest Place

Exploring the value system of Christ and its opposite

I’ve been focused on Jesus’ teaching, actions, and example this past month, as portrayed in the book of Luke. I have one more for you before I move on to a different portion of God’s word.

The gospel of the Kingdom, which was and still is Jesus’ message for the ages, turns the world’s system on its head. It is rooted in a wholly opposite value system.

This is why Jesus said that if you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. Uh-oh.

This doesn’t mean that we aren’t allowed to enjoy anything in our lives. To the contrary. I believe the Creator wants us to enjoy and give thanks for his beautiful creations while we are here. Like dogs, sunrises, music, watermelons, etc.

He just doesn’t want us to overly attach ourselves to the things of this world. If a person’s priority is to amass worldly wealth without having a rich relationship with God, that person is judged a fool. He or she is not suited to serve in the Kingdom.

Luke's telling of the ministry of Jesus makes so clear that the Kingdom of God is a place where the poor and lowly are honored, and the rich and prideful are cast out. This is a hard word for those of us who:

· have never experienced severe need or poverty

· hoard wealth and have trouble being generous to the poor

· refuse to forgive others, even when they repent

· focus on outward appearances and not the heart

· spend a lot of time and energy on self-promotion

· think we deserve the best seats and the highest positions

· live for the affirmation of men more than God

· look with scorn on menial tasks, refusing to do them

· will not be faithful in small matters

· despise children and find them bothersome

· are unkind or abusive to fellow believers

· faint in our faith at the first obstacle

This is a basic outline that summarizes the opposite of the values of our Messiah’s kingdom. If we want to cement in our brains the true values of the kingdom of Christ, we can take the above list and write out the opposite of each bullet point.

When I do this exercise humbly, with my spirit wide open to the Spirit of God, he shows me where I still have an attachment to the world that limits me from picking up my cross and following him with all my heart.

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One of the areas where I must be careful is self-promotion. This is a common pitfall for Type A individuals like me who are always striving to achieve, produce, and progress.

I’ve revisited a blog I wrote several years ago on this topic, and you can read it here if this resonates with you. Either way, I hope you find this Substack entry convicting in a good way, and not condemning.

The Lord asks us to be honest about our shortcomings, go to him for forgiveness, help, and strength, and keep on walking the narrow way.

This is what I aim to do until he takes me out of here.

Love and peace,

Ruth