The Kingdom

I will probably not win a popularity contest for saying this, but not everyone is going to be in the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ parables and other statements make it clear that God has a standard for those who will be in His Kingdom. Many Christians want a user-friendly church and a sin-tolerant fellowship, but that does a great disservice to their development as servants of God.

Jesus explained what sort of deeds and attitudes of the heart His Father was looking for, and warned about what would keep a man out of the Kingdom. Because He wants us all in the Kingdom with Him, Jesus faithfully told us everything. This made Him so unpopular that it cost Him His life.

It isn’t easy to be in the Kingdom. Bottom line is . . . it will cost us our lives also. A man must want the Kingdom enough to give up his present way of living (his life) to have the Kingdom (Mt 13:45-46). If a man doesn’t want the Kingdom with his whole heart, he won’t think it’s worth the price.

There were priests in Israel who found that the price of serving God was more than they wanted to pay. They said “It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out His requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” (Mal 3: 14-15). These men regretted giving up their lives in service to God when they saw that those who retained their lives prospered. Even evil men got away with sinning, and were blessed with prosperity! It goaded the priests, and they despised their decision to serve God, for they did not serve Him from their hearts.

It may also goad us when we see that we have given up our former way of living for a Kingdom that is not yet tangible, and that we do not receive the blessings others have . . . others who do not sacrifice like we do. It will goad us, unless we want the Kingdom with all our hearts.

There is something different about those who walk in the Kingdom of God. There is a peace in their hearts, and the strength of joy that comes despite difficult circumstances. Much more, there is a transforming power that lives inside those who truly sell-out to become servants of God, and they become like Him whom they serve. One day they will “be released from the stall” when the “sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” (Mal 4:2). God never short-changes those who desire Him with all their hearts. There is no price expected that will not bring the greatest reward in return. Today, let us affirm with our whole heart that we desire to walk with Jesus, and be in His Kingdom. Amen.