The Bible says “Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these” (Luke12:27). That’s because the splendor of Solomon lasted only for a generation but the lilies of the field bloomed yesterday and will bloom today and tomorrow. The splendor of Solomon is over and is in the past but the lilies of the field will blossom now and in the future.
We have to long for heavenly glory because the heavenly glory is forever and cannot be compared with the lilies of the field. “But if a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it produces many seeds.” (John12:24). I want to spend all my life for tomorrow and everlasting glory. I want to live for the time of the flesh and for heavenly glory. “If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” (Matthew 10:42). I want to prepare for glory while I live in the body. Those who long for glory are those who prepare the kingdom of God.
When we eat, the food digests over time. However, the righteousness of the kingdom of God never breaks down and disappears. When righteousness is in me, it becomes an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of God. I pity anyone who does not have Jesus in them and is poor including those who studied a lot, who are rich, who are good looking, who are smart, and who are a great person. It’s because they have no righteousness of Jesus in them.
We can go to the kingdom of God only by righteousness. The best righteousness is the grace of Jesus Christ on the Cross who washed away my sins. Righteousness is to close the gate of hell and open the gate of the Heaven. Jesus saves us from sin and destruction with the key that is righteousness. Those who hunger and thirst for Jesus, who hunger and thirst for things that God grants, who hunger and thirst for the word of God and who hunger and thirst for the words with promise will be filled.
Pastor Seok-Jeon Yoon
Extracted from Yonsei Newspaper #650
