Spiritual Dynamics
70,000 Christians killed in Nigeria. A Christian attending a house church who is arrested in Iran will face 5 to 10 years in prison. This is just two examples of Christians suffering persecution right now!
Yet in these totalitarian countries, the kingdom of God is forcefully advancing! Jesus said he is building his church and the gates of hell will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18).
The phrase, “and forceful men lay hold of it”, is a difficult phrase to interpret. It could mean that as the kingdom of God is advancing, that forces opposed to it are bringing violence against it.
Or, it could be figuratively speaking about the forceful acts of those seeking to take hold of it. For example, one is better off to “pluck out their eye” than miss entering into the kingdom. (Matthew 5:29).
This is not literal, but it reveals the “violent” act of discipleship. The act of surrender and “losing” one’s life in order to gain the life of the kingdom is in a sense the most violent act because it goes against our fallen human nature.
Whichever way we interpret Matthew 11:12, it reveals the spiritual dynamic of the kingdom of God. The reality we are in is a spiritual war. The general media only reports on the conflicts among nations.
What it is blind to and refuses to report on is the war on God’s people. We, as Christians, should not close our eyes to this reality. If we close our eyes to this reality, we will not see what the enemy could do here in our land.
We have seen how easy it is for the government to exercise power in closing down public worship. Whether you agree with the “lockdowns” or not, it should be a warning for us as believers.
This is not the time for complacency. We need to be “forceful” in our call to follow Jesus. Our battle is not with flesh and blood, but, “against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12). The mission of Jesus is clear and simple.
“Go and make disciples (apprentices) of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
(Matthew 28:19-20). Have you responded to the call of discipleship? It is a “violent” act of surrender, but it is the only way (the narrow way) into life in the Kingdom of God, both now and forever!
Pastor Fred