The Coin of The Realm

Every civilization, every culture, every country apart from a purely barter system has a currency or coin of some kind, something of value with which to purchase things of need or desire.  It might be something of assigned value in itself such as gold or silver, or it might be a representative of that value such as paper money, hard coin or even digital money.  Whatever it is, that is the thing of value we need to have in order meet our needs in that society.

Some, unwilling to work for and earn coin of the realm, attempt to substitute for the real currency.  They may use fake gold, imitation diamonds or counterfeit bills; the point is that what they use isn't authentic currency and has no real value.  And while it may fool some temporarily, it will be found out in time as only that which is real will stand the test of time.  Counterfeiters are not unaware of this truth, which is why they try to get rid of the counterfeit as soon as possible, trading it in on real currency.

In the heavenly kingdom, a coin of the realm exists as well.  It is not in gold or silver as Jesus plainly teaches in Matthew 6:19-21, where he warn us not to waste our time gathering up "treasures on earth"  but instead to "store up treasures in heaven."  All the things of this earthly realm that are considered valuable have no value in heaven.  Not even the entire world contains enough value to trade for a single soul (cf. Matt 26:26).

The coin of the heavenly realm is but one thing: FAITH.  As the writer of the Book of Hebrews reveals to us, "without faith it is impossible to please God."  As he goes on to say, "because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."  It is God's "grace through faith" (Eph 2:8) that affords our salvation - our place in the kingdom.

As with all coin of the realm, there are those who will attempt to supplant it with a counterfeit.  But counterfeit faith, while it may fool some for a time, maybe even a lifetime, it will not fool God for a moment: "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account" (Heb 4:12-13).

The coin of God's realm is faith and authentic, acceptable faith is a living, working faith while the counterfeit is dead.  As James put it, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead" (Js 2:26).  Our need is to to have faith - real, active, living faith.  Anything less is counterfeit.  anything less will not be accepted as coin of the realm.  Jus' Say'n.