#3 – Entering the Kingdom.
Scripture: “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22)
Some refuse to surrender the kingship of their lives. They continue to practise self-rule. Entering the kingdom means turning from self-rule to the rule of Christ the King. This is what repentance means. At the start of his ministry, John the Baptist proclaims, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” (Matthew 3:2) Those who would enter the kingdom must give up control of their lives to the King.
Jesus adds that simple child-like faith is required because anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it” (Luke 18:17). He next says that those who love the attractions of this world will find it hard to enter the kingdom of God. (Luke 18:24)
The believer enters the kingdom of God by being born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). Water cleanses and the Spirit of God fills. He needs to believe in his heart and confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9). He then must live a life of obedience to the commands of the King.
Jesus commands that the good news of the kingdom be proclaimed everywhere. However proclamation of the good news attracts persecution. When the disciples faithfully obeyed this command, they were persecuted. Although they were scattered from Jerusalem, they continued sharing the good news of the kingdom wherever they went (Acts 8:1-4).
Through their sufferings, they learned obedience (Heb 5:8). They carried their cross and followed Christ (Luke 9:23).
In what ways are you suffering because you are obeying God’s commands?
Suffering produces perseverance. - Romans 5:3
Prayer:
1. Pray for grace, the power that God gives to us to obey Him.
2. Pray for a fresh vision of the joy set before us so that we, the church of Jesus Christ might learn to endure the cross, scorning its shame (Hebrews 12:2).
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