The Sustainability of the Kingdom
by: Apostle Giulio Gabeli

Our 21^st Century language today is changing dramatically; and the cause for this change is due to the constant addition to the scientific, ecological, economic and political developments in their respective fields.  As someone once said, “if there is something in this world that is constant it surely is Change”.

I believe as a communicator, speaker or orator; the onus to effectively communicate is upon our ability to embrace the new terms and vocabulary and properly express them with relevance and wisdom.

Our business product is words, concepts and truths.  If we are to be successful in our message reaching an intended target, we must continually

find ways to sell our product and receive a dividend for our labour.

As New Covenant Ministers of the Kingdom of God, we have been given the assignment of establishing the infrastructure, systems and protocol of the kingdom of God into our spheres of life and living.  It does not matter whether one serves as a businessman, a politician, a professor or a preacher we are called upon by our commander in chief the Lord Jesus the Christ to implement his kingdom rule and authority.

Gone are the days where we casually assume that everyone understands spiritual concepts and principles based, upon the values of the Bible.  We live in a Post Christian Society; that generally evidences at best ignorance of kingdom values and at worst hostility for the biblical values of the kingdom.  Therefore, we must be able to speak the language of our 21^st century world with wisdom and tact.

One such word that is becoming increasingly used is the word “Sustainability” or “sustainable development’. 

Therefore, it is important to consider (1) the meaning and the associated concepts of this word; and (2) The Kingdom parallel.

Consider:
1. The definition: The World Commission on Environment and Development suggest that sustainability is defined as “forms of progress that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.”

Generally speaking, sustainability is understood in reference to the environmental action or impacts of what we do with for example, waste and recycling, energy, water and so on.

2. The Kingdom Parallel: To ensure that future generations continue
            to be impacted by the kingdom of God, believers must be
            determined to promote and facilitate a kingdom culture that will be
         attractive and relevant to a 21^st century environment.
 
How do we do that?

A. Articulate very clearly the values, the principles, the concepts and the
    language of the scriptures intelligently and with common sense.

   “Christianese” phrases like ‘Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb’,
    may cause sister Williemay to get up and shout Hallelujah in church;
    whereas the average non church seeker may think you are a little
    deranged by taking a bath in the blood of a slaughtered little lamb.

No, I believe we can communicate the principle of forgiveness and the removal of the penalty and the guilt of sin by the substitutionary death of Jesus on the Cross, and this will surely be better understood by genuine inquirers of the truth.

B. Become the Salt and Light

   Jesus declared “You are the salt of the earth (KJV) but consider the
   Message translation; 13”Let me tell you why you are here.  You’re here to
   be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of the earth, if you
   loose your saltiness, how will people taste Godliness.  You’ve lost your
   usefulness and you will end up in the Garbage.  Here’s another way to
   put it, 14”You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the
   world.  God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as
   public as a city on a hill (Matt 5:13-14)

I.e. We must invade every sphere of life and living imposing the influence of the kingdom culture under the Reign and Lordship of Jesus the Living Word beautifully displayed for all to see!

Whether you serve in the kingdom as a businessman, a policeman, a politician or a preacher we are all called to action in impacting through our ability to influence every facet of our world; ensuring generations to come the sustainability of the kingdom.