Growth and Maturity · Identity in Christ · Identity and the Mind of Christ · Identity and Purpose · Biblical Figures · Christian Life · Life in the Spirit
Fame… in the kingdom of heaven?
4 min read, approximately
“Joshua said to the two men who had explored the land: Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out the woman and everything that belongs to her, as you swore to her. The young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and everything that belonged to her. They also brought out all her relatives and placed them outside Israel’s camp. They burned the city and everything in it, putting only the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. But Joshua spared the life of Rahab the prostitute, her father’s household, and everything she had. She has lived among the Israelites to this day, because she hid the messengers Joshua sent to explore Jericho. At that time Joshua bound them with an oath, saying: Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises to rebuild this city of Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations, and at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates. So the LORD was with Joshua, and his name became known throughout the land.” (Joshua 6:22-27)
‘No one must rebuild the city of Jericho. Anyone who tries will fall under a terrible punishment from God. If anyone attempts to rebuild it, God will cause all that person’s children to die.’ God helped Joshua in everything he did, and the whole country heard of his victories.”
Fame?
Joshua had fellowship with God, obeyed him, and believed him in everything!
“The LORD was with Joshua, and his name became known throughout the land.” (Joshua 6:27)
One thing we are taught is that fame must involve something that catches society’s attention, and that we generally need to go along with what others do to attract notice. It is like fame entangled with fashion. But because fashion is fleeting, this fame expires simply with the passage of time or when the person dies. Yet the fame to which God’s Word invites us has no end. To understand a little, let us see what made Abraham, Joseph, and David famous, not only on earth but in the kingdom of heaven:
\1. Abraham, father of all believers (Romans 4:11)
What characterized him? Fellowship with God, obedience, and faith
“By faith Abraham, when called, obeyed and went out to the place he would receive as an inheritance. He went out without knowing where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8)
The result?
“The Scripture was fulfilled that says: Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.” (James 2:23)
\2. Joseph, governor of Egypt (Genesis 41:40)
What characterized him? Fellowship with God, obedience, and faith
“Although she spoke to Joseph every day, he would not listen to her request to lie beside her or be with her.” (Genesis 39:10)
The result?
“But the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man, living in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2)
\3. David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22)
What characterized him? Faith, obedience, and fellowship with God
“Then David said to the Philistine: You come against me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel’s armies, whom you have defied. Today the LORD will deliver you into my hand. I will defeat you and cut off your head, and today I will give the bodies of the Philistines to the birds of the sky and the beasts of the earth, and all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel.” (1 Samuel 17:45-46)
The result?
“All the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them there before the LORD. They anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned for forty years.” (2 Samuel 5:3-4)
Conclusion
These men share a common thread: fellowship with God, obedience, and faith…
Do we want to be famous… in the kingdom of heaven?
How is our fellowship with God?
Do we meditate on God’s Word and take his instruction into account in our daily lives?
Do we walk with and believe the Lord?
It is up to us… What do you say?
May God continue to bless you
and may you keep enjoying an excellent day in Christ Jesus!
I invite you to stop by the Songbook