A Farmer of the King

Check out the phone on the right!

I recently celebrated another birthday, long past this picture.  Age has certain privileges, one of which is the wisdom that experience brings. 

Confucius is quoted of saying:  "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  I have tasted these three and also a fourth.  James, the half-brother of Christ writes: 
"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  But he must ask in faith without any doubting..." James 1:5-6 NASU

I have walked 48 years with Christ on a road, working out my faith and salvation, yet I know that salvation was and is a gift God so desires to give so we can have an un-restricted relationship.  He has also given me wisdom both in times of need, and in my walk in general.  It is not my abilities that are tested, but the power of the third member of the Triune God, in me.

It is difficult for me to describe the Kingdom, but I know the King; He is my Father, my sovereign, my God.  He is perfect in every way; His character never changes.  He is all loving, all powerful, all knowing, not bound by time or space, righteous and pure; His is just and jealous, demanding, and forgiving.  Yet in these and many more attributes, He remains loving and merciful, just and demanding all at the same time.  No one attribute over-rides the others but are held in unity and harmony. 


His Kingdom, as we see it on earth is not perfected or complete, yet it remains.  It is the very thread that makes up the fabric of the universe.  Those that are followers of Christ and by Him have been transformed to be heirs of God's family, dwell in this universe while living on the earth.  I, like others in the Kingdom, face an evil foe who desires our glory, but glory belongs to none other than the King of Glory, Yahweh. 


The Kingdom is filled with many and Yahweh is the judge and ruler of those subject to Him.  As in Middle Ages, there are those that sit just inside the gate, those that tend the gate, those that are more like Knights, and many who shepherd the flocks and plant and harvest the fields.  Yahweh God loves all of his subjects equally, but some choose to receive the power from Him and answer the King's call to their station in life.


"And now let the voice ring out with great gladness—we won ones may be the pathway back to God for the others. That is His earnest desire. That should be our dominant ambition. For that purpose He has endowed us with peculiar power.
There is one inlet of power in the life—anybody's life—any kind of power: just one inlet—the Holy Spirit. He is power. He is in every one who opens his door to God. He eagerly enters every open door. He comes in by our invitation and consent. His presence within is the vital thing.
But with many of us while He is in, He is not in control: in as guest; not as host. That is to say He is hindered in His natural movements; tied up, so that He cannot do what He would. And so we are not conscious or only partially conscious of His presence. And others are still less so. But to yield to His mastery, to cultivate His friendship, to give Him full swing—that will result in what is called power. One inlet of power—the Holy Spirit in control." (Quiet Talks on Prayer by S.D. Gordon 1904) This powerful book can be read at  Quiet Talks on Prayer.

The unfortunate truth is that in our world, there are wolves in sheep's clothing, calling themselves by a name and tarnishing what the name once stood for.  Case in point in our media today, the Westboro Baptist Church which is not even remotely connected with any Baptist conventions or associations; nor do their members (71 in 2007) resemble Christ's love of people.  Yet some have referred to them as Christians.  The term, "Christian" has been bastardized to both extremes like Westboro Baptists on one end and the dilution by the hordes of Americans that consider themselves "Christian" as a default religion, because they are none of the others, on the other end of the term.  Therefore, the actions of those that call themselves "Christian" but do not follow God's Word in speech, action, and deed, has tarnished the term.  Today, I will often refer to myself as a "follower of Christ" rather than be confused with the world's dilution of "Christian".

As I said, the Kingdom of God is difficult to describe, but I know I am part of it.  To that end, I will work the fields, not in my own strength, but in the power and strength of my King.  The Apostle Paul wrote:

"As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."   For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."  

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" Romans 10:11-15 NIV


So I live in a Kingdom, that is in the world, but no tof the world; I live in a body that has been called a "tent" that is fading away:
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." 2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV 
"So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.". 2 Peter 1:12-15 NIV

My tent is broken and worn, but I shall use the assets of His that I steward over to bring honor and glory to my King.
"He [Jesus] told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3 [observation, mine] NIV

While I live, and as I was born again, I shall be a most dependent farmer waiting instructions and obeying.