Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake...Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)
Our life-style should be a reflection of God’s kingdom. With Jesus’ recent announcement that the kingdom was near (4:17), people were naturally asking, “How do I qualify to be in God’s kingdom?” Jesus said that God’s kingdom is organized differently from worldly kingdoms.
In the kingdom of heaven, wealth and power and authority are not important. Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, and they have different attitudes. Their entire life-style ought to be different. Are your attitudes a copy of the world’s selfishness, pride, and lust for power, or do they reflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, your King?
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain... And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.(1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
Our life-style should be disciplined. Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that the Christian life takes hard work, self-denial, and grueling preparation.
As Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The daily disciplines of prayer, Bible study, and worship equip us to run with endurance and stamina.
Don’t merely be a looker and observe from the grandstand; don’t just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Train earnestly—The race is not a sprint, but a marathon, so pace yourself, your spiritual progress depends upon it.
Ia manuia,
failauga p. anoa'i
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