I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord
Written by Timothy Dwight, and published in 1800, thy hymn I LOVE THY KINGDOM LORD appears in the well-known and used SACRED SELECTIONS for the CHURCH, edited by brother Ellis Crum, and in several other appreciated song books used by our brethren. I’ve copied and pasted the lyrics below, and wish to use them as this week’s THOUGHT WORTH THINKING.
- I love Thy kingdom, Lord,
The place of Thine abode,
The church our blest Redeemer saved
With His own precious blood. - I love Thy church, O God;
Her walls before Thee stand,
Dear as the apple of Thine eye,
And graven on Thy hand. - For her, my tears shall fall;
For her, my prayers ascend;
To her my cares and toils be giv’n,
Till toils and cares shall end. - Beyond my highest joy
I prize her heav’nly ways,
Her sweet communion, solemn vows,
Her hymns of love and praise. - Sure as Thy truth shall last,
To Zion shall be giv’n
The brightest glories earth can yield,
And brighter bliss of Heav’n.
Jesus built only one church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18; 1 Timothy 3:15; et al.) Despite the abundance of scriptural evidence that He built but one church, multitudes still contend, “all religions that believe Jesus Christ died for our sins, are a part of the whole of what He means by ‘My church’” (or some such proclamation.) But the facts prove this is not true! Just saying you are a part of the Lord’s church doesn’t make it so! Further, if souls loved His kingdom as they should, they would never desire to alter it by ignoring the doctrine He gave the church to proclaim (Galatians 1:6 – 10).
If the declaration of religious theists were true, then why are there divisions of religious reasoning? The apostle Paul wrote that there is to be no schism (division) in the body (1 Corinthians 12:24-25). He had also told Corinth that, “ Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) Those who willfully change and/or ignore the doctrine Jesus placed into His church are defying the Head of the church, and thereby declaring themselves not a part of THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. When these religions fail to understand and obey His plan of salvation (including immersion in order to obtain the remission of sins – Acts 2:38) and His commandment to remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10; 14:13), these religions are in blatant disagreement with Christ and His church! How can they then be a part of His body?
That is why I love His kingdom! His blood purchased it (Acts 20:28). In purchasing the church, He also paid the price of my redemption (1 Peter 1:18-25), but this redemption only applies if I obey Him in hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and being immersed (1 Peter 3:18-22). I love His kingdom because she is dear to Him (Ephesians 5:22-33). I love His kingdom because He knows my every word and deed performed for Him and for her (Colossians 3:`6-17). His kingdom, the church, is beyond my highest joy because of her heavenly ways. Her truth shall last because it is His truth – straight from the mind of my Father, God (Hebrews 1:1-2). There simply is no greater kingdom!
Are you a part of His kingdom, or man’s? Remember, Christ’s way is the only way to God (John 14:6), regardless of how diligently man denies the differences! If you LOVE His kingdom, don’t change it – just obey His doctrine within it, and serve in it as He commands us to serve Him!