God invites everyone to be great in His Kingdom. Literally.
Jesus taught often on God’s invitation for greatness in Scripture. If you browse through some of the verses below, it is almost as if Jesus expects us to pursue greatness. We shouldn’t feel guilty for wanting to be great because God designed our spirit with this longing. Andy was right on when he told us this is a HEART matter, not an issue of performance. Sometimes we pursue greatness in the wrong ways. God invites us to greatness without regard to our worldly achievements or what others think of us.
• Matthew 5:19 “Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called GREAT in the kingdom of heaven.”
• Matthew 18:4, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven.”
• Mark 10:42-43 And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be GREAT among you must be your servant.”
• Luke 9:48 “and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is GREAT.”
For me personally, I believe I need to repent for neglecting to seek greatness because Jesus called us to be great in His sight. Certainly, we all need to repent for situations where we did not chose God the way Daniel did, but I also feel the need to repent for not PURSUEING greatness. I can’t be an example of the Glory of God on earth, if I am refusing to walk in the greatness I was designed for. I don’t God hides the road to greatness from us. It’s not some unattainable, lofty goal for a few elect believers. It’s for every member of the Kingdom! I think Jesus explains to us what is required for greatness in the Sermon on the Mount. There He tells us that the pursuit of greatness comes through meekness, obedience and servant hood.
For he who comes to God must believe that…He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Heb. 11:6)
- Angie
What is “great”. Is it the person who gives everything they have to follow Jesus? Is it the person who has 100 million and gives 10 million to God.
If we leave it up man to define “great” then I will never be “great”.
-Tom