On Mission At WorkSample

Adopted and New Residents

Many phrases describe people who come to faith and follow Jesus. Maybe the most often used is to "ask Jesus into your heart." I understand why we use that phrase, but redemption is more significant. The Bible describes our redemption as adoption into God's family and membership in his kingdom. When we follow Jesus, we affirm not only that he can save us but that he is Lord over our life, and our hearts are changed.

Galatians 4:4-7 shows us that we become members of God's family once we are redeemed. We are more than just Christians; we are brothers and sisters, the Bible tells us, and members of his eternal family. John 3:3 tells us that we become members of God's kingdom when we are born again. Becoming a member of God's family and a resident of his kingdom has significant meaning when considering how we participate in the world around us. It means our allegiance is to God's rule and reigns above all else. It is more important than the physical family (Matthew 10:37) we belong to or the country that we are from (Mark 12:17).

When you go to work, your purpose at work is to reflect on your ultimate family and your primary citizenship. Have you asked yourself recently how your vocation fits into God's kingdom work? In other words, how can you work as a citizen of God's kingdom? As you work, live, and play, does your attitude and behavior demonstrate that you are more committed to your earthly family and your physical country than to God's family and kingdom?

In Matthew 6:10, known as The Lord's Prayer, Jesus prays that God's kingdom would come on earth and that his will would be done on earth, just as in heaven. So, our responsibility is to live now (on earth, in this life) as we will live then (in eternity, as part of God's eternal kingdom).

Reflection:

• In what ways can you live out on earth as it is in heaven?