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PRESSING INTO THE KINGDOM
The kingdom of God is not like an open field where everybody irrespective of their heart condition can play
on. The kingdom of God is like a precious field with hidden pearls, the field is guarded, there is a gate at the
entrance and inspection is essential before entry is allowed. Only those with repentant hearts can enter to
inherit the precious pearl of salvation. The adulterous, liar, idolatrous etc. cannot inherit the kingdom of
God.
Any man will inch his way into the least available space in a ship if he knows that the ship is the only
available ship to convey him home otherwise he will be stranded on a strange and dangerous island with the
ultimate result of loneliness, starvation and death. Is salvation any different? Christ is the only way to the
Father, the ark of salvation has its door open today to receive those who will come on God’s terms. Every
sensible person will do his ultimate to press into the kingdom.
Pressing into the kingdom is not an involuntary or easy activity. It takes effort, strength, a decision of the
will, a resolve to enter. The provision in the kingdom is ready, the resources are available to whosoever will
come, what God requires of us is to shake off our indifference, lethargy, indecision, halting between two
opinions and to press into the kingdom.
PRIORITY OF THE KINGDOM
Matthew 6:33; 11:12,13; 16:26; 13:45,46; Mark 8:36,37; Luke 16:16; 13:24; 9:25; 1 Timothy 6:6; John
12:20,21.
There are many things that we seek in life such as are mentioned in verses 25 to 32 of Matthew chapter 6:
food to eat, clothes to put on, shelter over the head etc. and man in foolishness forgets the most important
thing in life: seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness!
It should be noted that the Bible did not just say seek the kingdom but seek FIRST the kingdom. It is
important that our priority should be FIRST and FOREMOST God’s kingdom and His righteousness.
Many people have lost heaven and gone to a Christless eternity because their priorities were wrong:
(1) Judas Iscariot’s priority was money and social action (John 12:1-6; 13:27-30; Matthew 27:3-8);
(2) The Pharisees’ priority was pride of place and position (John 11:46-48; Matthew 23:5-7);
(3) The Herods’ priority was fame and honour (Matthew 2:1-23; Acts 12:1-25; 25:23,24);
(4) Pontius Pilate’s priority was good report from the people as well as Caesar’s commendation and
approval (John 19:12-16);
(5) The priority of the masses was physical food (John 6:1-15,27);
(6) The priority of Ananias and Sapphira was respect in the early church (Acts 5:1-11 cf. 4:30-37).
What is your priority? Are you seeking FIRST the kingdom?
PREACHING OF THE KINGDOM
Luke 16:16; Matthew 3:1,2; 4:17,23; 9:35; 10:5-7; 13:19-23; 24:14; Mark 1:14,15; Luke 4:42-44; 8:1;
9:1,2,60; Acts 1:3; 8:12; 19:8; 20:25; 28:23,30,31; Romans 10:13-15.
Central to the message of salvation is the preaching of the kingdom of God. John the Baptist preached
concerning the kingdom of God. Christ’s earthly ministry was full of such preaching as the bulk of the
above passages indicate. Even after His bodily resurrection, He continued to preach about the kingdom of
God (Acts 1:3). The apostles and the prophets saturated their preaching with the kingdom of God.
Every faithful minister of the gospel cannot but preach of the kingdom of God and also seek that kingdom
as a priority over all other things. We must enter into the kingdom and the kingdom must enter into us.
The kingdom of God is not here nor there but within us (Luke 17:20,21). The kingdom of God is not meat
and drink but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). Nothing defiling can enter
into the kingdom of God. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9,10; 15:50;
Galatians 5:19-21). It is only the redeemed of the Lord that can have access into that kingdom.
PRESSING INTO THE KINGDOM
Luke 16:16; 13:24; Matthew 11:12,13; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 2:4,5; Philippians 1:27; 3:14;
Hebrews 12:4; Jude 3.
Entrance into the kingdom is free but not easy. Many people have confused the words free and easy.
Salvation is provided free of charge but it cost Christ His life. There is no toll gate fee but we must press to
enter in. The flesh, the world and the devil will want to prevent us from gaining entry. We have to force our
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way through, press into the kingdom, strive to enter in, take the kingdom by violence. Those who love ease
and loath to endure the hard and disciplined life of the soldier will not be able to get into the kingdom.
To lay hold on eternal life, we will have to fight the good fight of faith. The christian life is a fight. We fight
to enter in and it is a continuous battle all the way through. We fight against sin, hindrances, weaknesses
and stumbling blocks that prevent entry into the kingdom. We boldly accept responsibility for our actions
and take the necessary steps to press into the kingdom. Repentance is not an emotion, it is a decision. A
decision to make an about turn against sin and all that savours of ungodliness.
What are the weights that are keeping you down? What are the little foxes eating up your vine of decision to
serve the Lord?
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