Freedom is Good News Part 198

In consideration of the four ingredients for a kingdom, the next item on our list should be “law”.  But I just reread the previous article and noticed the final quote, “But the man who makes Me his refuge will inherit the land and possess My Holy Mountain.” (Is. 57:13)  My mind immediately went to the fourth item on our list, “subjects”.

Yes, a King must have subjects to rule over.  How then shall we consider this topic?  Who are the subjects?  We have but to look at the above quote and we have a good idea of the answer.  The one who makes God his refuge shall possess the mountain of the LORD!  And not only that, but this one will inherit the land. 

The topic of God’s Holy Mountain is a theme that runs through the book of Isaiah … we also find it given to us from the pen of Israel’s greatest king, David.  In the history of Israel, we find many types and patterns of things to come.  King David is a type of the future coming King, Jesus Christ – of whom we have already spoken, two articles ago.

We also see a type or pattern for us in Psalm 15, “LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?  Who may live on your holy Mount?”  In this Psalm David poses the question of ‘who’ and then lists the requirements for being a subject of the King – the true and future King.  It is a short Psalm and I will include it in its entirety;  verse 2-5, “He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on  his fellowman, who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things will never be shaken.”

Wow, that is quite a list.  Who among us has a blameless walk and does what is righteous?  NO ONE!!  So how can we ever become the subjects of our God and King?  Well, that is what the true good news of these articles is all about.  Jesus Christ, the one who has become King of kings and Lord of lords has given His life for us.  It was He that shed His blood to cover our sins.  It was He that came down to earth to present Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.  And so because of what He did – it is by the grace of God that redemption and righteousness has come to us through Christ Jesus.

I am reminded of the words of a song that is very dear to me, “Amazing love, how can it be, that you my King would die for me.  Amazing love, I know it’s true, and it’s my joy to honor You.” (Written by Billy Foote and sung by Guy Penrod)

Is there any other king that would die for his subjects?  I know not one!  Is there any other king that has the power to give eternal life to his subjects?  The question is absurd!

David has much more to say on this subject and so does the Apostle Paul.  Perhaps we should look deeper into this part of God’s Kingdom for it is really the part that includes all of us.  Until next time – reflect upon the “good news” of Jesus Christ.