You may not realize it, but as you make daily decisions you oftentimes answer two very important questions: Who is king of your life? What matters most in that kingdom?

If your King is Jesus, you have been chosen and blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). If your King is Jesus, you know He has redeemed you from your former life and calls you friend. Yes, you are a friend of the King!

So, what does a friend of the King do? Jesus tells his friends and closest followers, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last–and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other” (John 15:15-17).

This passage reminds us that our salvation is not just about us. When we know we are redeemed, our life is about God and His Kingdom. We are called to go and do the same work as our Savior. Jesus came to make known the Kingdom of God. He came to preach good news to the oppressed, marginalized, and hopeless.

Jesus kicked off His ministry by making it clear that He came to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy. As He stood in the synagogue in Nazareth and opened Isaiah’s scroll, He read, ”The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18-21).

Jesus made it clear who He was and who He came to call. He came to call those who were helpless, hurting, broken, and sick. He said, ”It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).

Once we become part of God’s Kingdom family, we are commanded to do Kingdom work. Jesus said it this way as He was being lifted up to heaven, ”All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).

The King gives his friends “all authority” to do the work He did. And He promises to be with us as we make disciples out of the oppressed, marginalized, and hopeless people who He came to save.

What about you? Where do you see brokenness, hopelessness, and sickness? Jesus loves you and wants you to go and love others the way He loves you. Go, and do the work of your Friend the King!

How We Define Kingdom Mindset

The Kingdom of God is coming and is now here (Mark 1:15). God is making all things new (Revelation 21:1). The Gospel of Jesus means that God is reclaiming everything that is his. We are called to repent, believe, and follow our Savior and King. Trust Him with your life as you engage in His work to make disciples of all nations. Use your gifts — design, build, invest, communicate, teach, lead...spend your life and resources blessing others as you spread the love of Christ.