God Is Looking For Violent People - Are You One Of Them?

God Is Looking For Violent People -

Are You One Of Them?

"...and now, he who wishes to be a partaker of the blessings of that kingdom must rush speedily into it; as there will be but a short time before an utter destruction shall fall upon this ungodly race."

"Those who wish to be saved must imitate those who take a city by storm - rush into it, without delay..." - both quotes from Adam Clarke

The Lord Jesus told us in Matthew 10:22 - "And ye shall be hated of all men for My name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."

In Matthew 6:33, He said - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness..."

We are given two "but's" in reference to our endtime duties. "Endure to the end." How? by continually "seeking first the kingdom of God."

You may argue that you are doing exactly that.

Yes, but how are you "enduring to the end" so as to be saved? Remember - it's not those who start the race, but those who finish it who win the prize. You may have started your walk with Jesus with a "blast," but now we find you slothful, indifferent, complacent, lukewarm, and worldly.

In order to stay "on-fire" or zealous until the end, you must maintain a certain mentality - from the beginning until the end. That mind-set can be found in the following Scriptures -

Matthew 11:12 says - "And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force."

Luke 16:16 says - "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

Notice the terminology that is used here - "the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force"...as well as "the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it."

For most of us, our concept of the Kingdom of God centers around "righteousness. and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost"(Romans 14:17) and does not include thoughts of "violence" or "force" in any measure.

Nonetheless, we must understand the principle that the Lord Jesus was presenting here, or we will not make it unto the end.

What the Lord was saying was this - the Kingdom of God is advancing - forcefully advancing - against many foes - such as the world with its attractions and attachments...the flesh with its passions and lusts...and the devil with his evil schemes and deceitful wiles. The only people who are able to lay hold of this Kingdom are the forceful or the violent.

When John the Baptist preached - followed by the Lord Jesus - the multitudes rushed to hear them. These crowds were said to take the Kingdom of Heaven by force - simply because they displayed such earnestness, ardent zeal, and intense exertion. They were likened unto men who take a city by force - pressing upon it with violence - while demolishing the walls and all hindrances in order to enter in.

From this illustration, we gather that in order to get a share in the Kingdom or to obtain a blessing from it, we have to be more than willing to take it by storm - forcing our way into it like a rushing mighty wind - being filled with a holy zeal and an inexpressible earnestness. We must embrace it with violent efforts and violent means - seizing upon it and making it our own - while exhibiting a constant exertion, strength, vigor, fervency, moral enthusiasm, and spiritual passion that just "won't quit." That involves breaking away from any and all sinful practises of this perverse society in which we live and turning wholeheartedly to Christ, His Word, and His Righteousness - no matter what the cost! It entails forcefully overcoming the extreme and great difficulties that stem from unbelief...the love of the world...spiritual sluggishness...and indifference - which seems to cancel any earnestness.

There are two ways to "take the kingdom" - the weak way or the violent way.

Some would contest - "Well, I'm under grace. I'm not under 'works salvation.' "

"By grace" you were saved(Ephesians 2:8), and now that you are saved, "by grace" you are required to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling"(Philippians 2:12). "By grace," you are required to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts" and "live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world"(Titus 2:12).

"Grace" is not a license to sit back and do nothing in your Christian walk. In fact, the "grace of God" is what will make you "violent" in taking the Kingdom of God by force. It will fire you up...make you zealous...and stir you onward to an irresistible earnestness to go after the Kingdom and obtain the blessings which are yours.

There is only one disposition for those who are "seeking first God's Kingdom and His righteousness" in these Last Days. It can be summed up in one word - VIOLENT ! Despite the opposition from within and without - the fears, terrors, snares, and delights - these saints are "going after God." They understand that all worthy pursuits require - long, earnest, and persistent toil...meeting every obstacle and conquering it...and maintaining an irresistible zeal.

Reflect for a minute on the opening quotes by Adam Clarke - the renowned Bible Commentator - "...and now, he who wishes to be a partaker of the blessings of that kingdom must rush speedily into it; as there will be but a short time before an utter destruction shall fall upon this ungodly race." "Those who wish to be saved must imitate those who take a city by storm - rush into it, without delay..."

Is it your desire to be a "partaker of the blessings" of the Kingdom of God? Are you "rushing speedily into it"?

Do you wish to make it to the end - spiritually speaking? Are you "imitating those who take a city by storm" and rushing into the Kingdom "without delay"?

For further understanding, read what others have said about this same topic -

"They who would enter into the kingdom of heaven must strive to enter; that kingdom suffers a holy violence; self must be denied, the bent and bias, the frame and temper, of the mind must be altered; there are hard sufferings to be undergone, a force to be put upon the corrupt nature; we must run, and wrestle, and fight, and be in an agony, and all little enough to win such a prize, and to get over such opposition from without and from within." -
"Those that would go to heaven must take pains, must strive against the stream, must press against the crowd that are going the contrary way." - both quotes from Matthew Henry

"He that will take, get possession of the kingdom of righteousness, peace, and spiritual joy, must be in earnest: all hell will oppose him in every step he takes; and if a man be not absolutely determined to give up his sins and evil companions, and have his soul saved at all hazards, and at every expense, he will surely perish everlastingly. This requires a violent earnestness." - Adam Clarke

"Earnestness is a characteristic of great epochs...is a criterion of individual character, men weight according to earnestness; it is more than ability. Of all places for earnestness, religion(Christianity) is the most important and natural. The only thing that can answer God is earnestness is us." - Biblical Illustrator - New Testament

Are you getting the picture? God is looking for violent people. Do you happen to be one of them?

In closing, read these last few quotes - taken from the Biblical Illustrator - the New Testament part - and determine in your heart that from this day forward, you are going to "go after God" with "violence" - allowing nothing to stand in your way.

Just remember - the "violent" ones are the only ones who "endure to the end" and are saved.

"The promise of success is to the violent."
"God will have this violence and striving, to test the truth of our profession...God will have us get these things with violence, that we may value them more when we have them...The excellence of the thing requires violence."

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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