Kingdom Character
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
Character: - According to Webster’s Dictionary Character is one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. This is a side of her character that few people have seen.
A feature used to separate distinguishable things into categories also: a group or kind so separated advertising of a very primitive character. The aggregate of distinctive qualities characteristic of a breed, strain, or type such as a wine of great character. The detectable expression of the action of a gene or group of genes. The complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation. The main or essential nature especially as strongly marked and serving to distinguish from another.
Character is the strength of moral fiber. A.W. Tozer described character as “the excellence of moral beings.” As the excellence of gold is its purity and the excellence of art is its beauty, so the excellence of man and woman is their character.
People of character are noted for their honesty, ethics, and charity. Descriptions such as a man of principle and a woman of integrity are affirmations of character. When there is a lack of character there is moral deficiency, people lacking character tend to behave dishonestly, unethically, and immorally.
A person’s character is the sum of their disposition, thoughts, intentions, desires, and actions. Character is gauged by general tendencies, not based on a few isolated actions. We must look at the whole life. David was a man of good character a man after God’s own heart 1 Samuel 13:14 although he sinned on occasion 2 Samuel 11. There are several people in the Bible who are described as having a good or Kingdom character: Ruth for example is called virtuous - Ruth 3:11says “And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman”. Job’s character is commended by God Job 2:3 says “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause”.
It is the Lord’s purpose to develop character within us. Proverbs 17:3 says, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the LORD tests the heart”. Kingdom character is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work of sanctification and is a consistent manifestation of Jesus in a person’s life.
Understand God is pleased when His children grow in Kingdom Character 1 Chronicles 29:17 says, “I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness”.
I like this saying to sum up what character is: - Reputation is what people say about you, character is what God says about you – Question what is God saying about you. Kingdom Character.
PRAYER:
SCRIPTURE: - Matthew 5:1-16. Matthew 4:23 says “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the [gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people”. Matthew 9:35 says “Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness”. These two verses are like bookends or parentheses that encapsulate five chapters of vital Kingdom content. Matthew is presenting Jesus’ ministry and how His ministry involves teaching and healing. Jesus is proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom, not a religion, not a church, but a Kingdom and He is healing every kind of sickness and disease to establish and manifest the power of His Kingdom. In Matthew 5 thru 7 we read what Jesus was teaching about God’s kingdom. In Matthew 8 thru 9 we see demonstrated the miracles Jesus was performing, healing people, which proved His kingdom.
The word Kingdom appears 54 times in the book of Matthew, more than in any other book in the Bible. Now the number 54 isn’t so important perse’ but 5+4 is. 5 = Grace – the goodness of God, the number 4 = creation because on the 4th day the material universe was created. The number 9 = Divine completeness. Developing Kingdom Character is striving for divine completeness through the Grace of God, creating a new thing in us.
Now let’s look at Matthew chapter 5 (Grace) and see who Jesus is talking to and what He is teaching in the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1 says, “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him”. Jesus talking to the disciples and a crowd begins to form.
Now we come to the beginning, and most famous part of His sermon. This section is called the beatitudes. The word Beatitude means “fortunate or blessed or happy.”
Remember that the focus of Matthew is the Kingdom of God. Often you will read Kingdom of Heaven in exchange of the Kingdom of God this is because the Hebrews considered God’s name so sacred, they didn’t often use it and heaven is substituted because heaven is where God is.
Verse 3 and Verse 10 of Matthew 5 are considered bookends to close in or parenthesize something inside. Each of these verses say, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The kingdom belongs to the people described in this passage and describes their character and gives 6 promises or blessings that God offers to those who are in the Kingdom.
Understand the beatitudes is not a list of do this and you get this, but rather a description of Kingdom Character in the people of the Kingdom. The characteristics are a result of God first working in you. We love because He first loved us 1 John 4:19 says “We love him, because he first loved us”. We are merciful because He first showed mercy to us. We are pure because He has cleansed us. We are humble, because He has humbled us. Just like the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 describes the result of God’s Spirit working in the life of a believer, so the Beatitudes describes what God’s kingdom people are like and how they should behave based on His work in us.
Let’s look at Kingdom Character and the Kingdom Citizens!
Poor in Spirit – Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” Poor in spirit is not depressed, downtrodden, having an inferiority complex or low self-esteem. Poor in Spirit is a characteristic of Kingdom people who see themselves as spiritually empty before God. This is the opposite of pride and self-sufficiency of religious minded people. The characteristic of poor in spirit is to recognize one’s spiritual poverty and insufficiency and look to the Lord for mercy. Luke 18:13-14 says “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted”.
The ones who are poor in spirit are ones that are humble. It is people who recognize that they don’t have anything spiritually worthwhile to offer the Lord in exchange for entrance into the Kingdom. They recognize that they are spiritually bankrupt they have nothing good to offer good, nothing good of ourselves. The poor in spirit will come to God empty and say, Lord have mercy on me a wretched sinner and fill me up.
Their reward is the kingdom of heaven.
Those who mourn - Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted”. Someone who mourns certainly doesn’t appear to be blessed or happy. However, this mourn does not mean being constantly sad or crying but describes the Kingdom Character of one’s grief over his or her own sinful condition. This is describing the person that understands the meaning of “Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sov’reign die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I”? Their sin causes them grief. They don’t just ignore, tolerate, or revel in sin, but are convicted and hate that they have displeased God.
When Ezra found out that his people had disobeyed God’s law, he fell on the ground and wept for an entire day Ezra 9:1-15. He ripped out his hair and tore his clothes. He was devastated by the sin he witnessed. He had no strength, no energy to go on. He didn’t just say a quick prayer and move on but was sadden that God was displeased. Those who mourn show the depth of hatred for sin. Kingdom people are deeply saddened by their sin, and it is this character that truly motivates them to repent. They are blessed for they shall be comforted. Hebrews 4:3 says, “For we which have believed do enter into rest”. By faith we can cast ourselves with all our burdens into God’s arms, fully and completely, without reservation. We cast all fear, all doubts, all anxiety, and all cares on Him, because He cares for us. By doing this we enter into a blessed rest and are comforted.
The Meek - Matthew 5:5 says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth”.
The word meek is not to related to the word weak. Weakness is due to negative circumstances, such as lack of strength or lack of courage. Biblical meekness is not weakness. It refers to those who can harness their emotions. The Kingdom Character of being meek is an attitude of humility toward God and gentleness toward men that springs from a recognition that God is in control. Meekness is a conscious choice a person makes. It is strength and courage under control, coupled with kindness. The meek demonstrates power under complete control. The promise is that they will inherit the earth. When it seems like the evil doer is prospering and progressing the meek remain steadfast and unmovable always abounding in the work of the Lord. They know that in the future they will reign with Christ as He will have dominion over all things, but in the meantime, they allow this hope to drive their efforts in the world today.
Those who Hunger and Thirst - Matthew 5:6 says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled”. This characteristic is a description of one’s internal longing for righteousness. Because this can only be found in the Lord, it is the believer’s desire to conform to this. The promise of such a longing is a true and lasting satisfaction. Kingdom people are unsatisfied and can never be satisfied with the world. They don’t chase after worldly possessions and pleasures, but they crave what the world cannot offer they crave righteousness to be lie Christ. It is that desire to be like Christ that compels us and pushes us forward. Hunger and Thirst is what keeps us alive when we hunger and thirst after righteousness, we strive for Jesus Christ which is eternal life.
The Merciful - Matthew 5:7 says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy”.
Kingdom people long for the righteousness of God, it is only natural that they be merciful like the Lord. Kingdom people are merciful not because we are better than others, but because we have received mercy. Kingdom people can forgive others because He first forgave us. God calls His people to be merciful like He is. In the parable of the unforgiving servant, the master forgave his servant a great debt. But then this servant refused to act in like manner. Another servant owed him a very minor debt and he choked him, demanding that he repay all of what he owed.
Since we belong to God’s kingdom, we should be like Him! When we show bitterness and unforgiveness, we are acting completely the opposite of our own Lord who has forgiven us so much.
Pure in Heart - Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”. To be pure in heart is the Kingdom Character of having our minds and emotions set upon the Lord. It is an unwavering commitment in worshipping Him from deep within – deep calleth unto deep. Kingdom people can be pure in heart because God has forgiven them from their sins. The pure in heart are not deceiving, not manipulating, not lusting, not seeking to get rich. They are focused on God.
And what is their reward? They will see God! Isn’t that amazing! The ones who desire to see God will. But the ones who don’t want to see God and don’t think or care about Him will spend eternity without Him. In some manner, in the end, God gives each person what they wanted and chose all along.
The great promise of this condition is to “see God“. The ultimate fulfillment will occur when we are with the Lord in heaven (Rev. 22:3-4). However, this is experienced now I the intimacy of unbroken fellowship.
The Peacemaker - Matthew 5:9 say, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”. Kingdom people are not at enmity with God because Jesus Christ made peace possible Romans 5:1; Colossians 1:21. Now Kingdom people enjoy this peace; they are to be peacemakers. This occurs though the sharing of the gospel and the application of the gospel within the body. The promise “for they shall be called sons of God” means that the believer will reflect the character of the Father. Kingdom people are peacemakers means it is not about simply trying to resolve an argument between two people but it’s not about being silent instead of arguing. The character of peacemakers come from Jesus our King of the Kingdom is a peacemaker. Jesus came to bring peace between God and man. Colossians 1:20 says, “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven”. God has in turn called us to bring His message of peace to the world. 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation”. That’s the character of a peacemaker to get the word of God to the people and bring them into a right relationship with the King.
The Persecuted - Matthew 5:10 says “Blessed are the those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. The final beatitude may be a bit surprising at first and appear to be an anticlimax. We have just seen a great progression, then suddenly persecution. This is not surprising because John 15:18-20 says, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also”.
To live as Jesus lived will inevitably lead to persecution and hardship in varying levels. Just this week alone I received a message from someone that criticized me and said I was spewing hatred because I was preaching the unadulterated truth of the Word of God. I was verbally persecuted for righteousness.
Though hardship may be experienced now, this has been going on against God’s people in past ages. For this very reason they are to hold onto the hope of the final reward in heaven.
CLOSING
The people in Kingdom of God have been changed and possess a character about them different from the world around them. Understand you cannot be saved without a being changed. God expects that we as believers have, we Kingdom Character and live a changed life, possess changed actions, operate with a changed attitude. The fact that you recognize your emptiness and the sorrow for sin and displeasing God demands that we come to God for mercy and help. He then fills us and changes us.
We must understand that salvation is more than just raising your hand, saying a praying a prayer and acknowledging that you believe in Jesus. You must humble yourself call out to God in desperation and be changed by His power so you can live a Kingdom life.
The Beatitudes as I stated is not a list of do this and this will happen it is a declaration that demands the characteristics be manifested in your life as a Kingdom citizen. You must be pure in heart, you must be poor in spirit, you must mourn over your sins.
Obedience is not optional. Kingdom life without mourning for sin, without mercy, with a hunger for righteousness is a belief system that is built on sand hoping you can stand. If you are truly belonging to God’s kingdom, then you must live like it.
At the beginning of His ministry Jesus called his followers to make a difference in the world. Jesus called His followers to a Kingdom life and a Kingdom mission.
Do you have Kingdom Character or Religious Ritualism?
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
