When Jesus came, He proclaimed, "The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17). " At hand" means that God's kingdom is close enough to touch from where we are. Yet it must be fought for aggressively and attained with perseverance.
"The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence," Jesus taught, "and violent men take it by force" (Matthew 11:12)
The violence of taking the Kingdom by force is not physical violence, but rather focused earnestness, a deeply passionate pursuit of God that enables Christ's followers never to give up regardless of the conflicts and trials they face.
If we want God's Kingdom, we will face tribulation, and we will need perseverance. We must persist until the substance of God's Kingdom is not merely a doctrine but a functional reality in our lives.
True disciples "bear fruit with perseverance" (Luke 8:15)
"The Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence," Jesus taught, "and violent men take it by force" (Matthew 11:12)
The violence of taking the Kingdom by force is not physical violence, but rather focused earnestness, a deeply passionate pursuit of God that enables Christ's followers never to give up regardless of the conflicts and trials they face.
If we want God's Kingdom, we will face tribulation, and we will need perseverance. We must persist until the substance of God's Kingdom is not merely a doctrine but a functional reality in our lives.
True disciples "bear fruit with perseverance" (Luke 8:15)