What if Everybody Did That?

My daughter has a book that I used to read to her when she was about 4 years old. The book is called What If Everybody Did That. In the book, a little boy goes throughout the day doing things he has no business doing, and as a result, someone always asks him, “What if everybody did that?” What if everybody talked out of turn? What if everybody left their trash and skipped in line? What would the world be like if everybody did these terrible things?

Well, we kind of already know what happens when most everybody does the wrong thing. Look around: war, violence, poverty, hunger, generations of people with bad character, and lack of integrity. Unscrupulous celebrities and unethical politicians who are willing to sell their souls for the almighty dollar have become major role models for others. As a result, people aspire for power, authority, success, and pleasure, but Jesus taught something different. Jesus taught those who would listen about the character of a Kingdom citizen. How does a child of the Most High act? What is the attitude of someone who loves the LORD? What is the character of those who occupy God's Kingdom, and what are they promised?

In Matthew 5:3-12, we find Jesus preaching on the beatitudes:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake (Matthew 5:3-12).

What if we, as followers of Christ, had a personal foundation that was built upon the knowledge that we are nothing without God? What if we, being poor in spirit, walked in humility before God and man every day? And what if everybody did that? What if we experienced godly sorrow over the fallen state of man? What if we mourned for our sinful nature so sincerely that we sought repentance? What if everybody did that? What if we practiced restraint, patience, gentleness, and longsuffering? What if we submitted to God’s authority and obeyed His will? What if everybody did that? What if we were passionate for the things of God? What if we longed to be near to God, to be Holy as God is Holy, to be righteous? What if everybody did that? What if we realized that we are the recipients of God’s great mercy? And in turn, what if we showed the same level of mercy to others? What if everybody did that? What if we had pure hearts, ones that sincerely belonged to God, not divided but devoted solely to Him? What if everybody did that? What if we made peace? What if we forgave those who hurt us and encouraged others to do the same? What if everybody did that? What if we were faithful to Jesus and, for that reason, persecuted? What if our loyalty to the Most High caused us to suffer? What if we honored Jesus Christ in our righteousness regardless of how we were treated? What if everybody did that?

What if everybody's attitude and behavior were such as kingdom citizens? Well, then theirs would be the kingdom of heaven; they would be comforted, they would obtain mercy, they would inherit the earth, they would be filled, they would see God and even be called the children of God. If everybody heeded the words of Jesus, indeed the world would be a better place and eternity with God Almighty would be our final destination. But God does not need everybody to have kingdom character... just you.