From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. Matthew 11:12 (ESV)
When you love something enough, you’ll fight for it. That’s what today’s verse is talking about. I love how The Passion Translation fleshes it out: “From the moment John stepped onto the scene until now, the realm of heaven’s kingdom is bursting forth, and passionate people have taken hold of its power.”
I think Satan’s most powerful tactic is to get people lulled into a comfortable, ho-hum state of living because that’s where we’re least effective. We need a militancy on the inside of us that causes us to get up each morning, determined to eagerly take possession of what’s ours as an heir to God’s Kingdom.
Don’t become trapped in a mindset that says, “Well, God wants me comfortable. When I’ve saved some money, I’ll look at helping out God’s Kingdom. But first, God would want me to get the kind of car and house I want.” Of course, whatever concerns you matters to God, but recognize that our priority is to pursue His Kingdom.
God didn’t create us to pursue comfort and skip through life’s flower gardens, hiding from the world and avoiding pain, work or anything that requires effort. We’re called to go into the world and do great exploits for God! Look at how the first-century believers responded when they heard the Gospel message. They excitedly desired after God’s Kingdom, determined to possess it the way a military conquers a city. They were intent on living out everything God had for them.
Don’t mistake a silk-lined rut for God’s best. Fight to take hold of the joy and understanding of what it means to belong to God’s Kingdom!
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