12th July 2020
THE KINGDOM EFFORT
David Abankwah
READ: Matthew 6:33
And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
-Matthew 11:12 | NKJV
The kingdom of heaven or Christianity is not just a state but an action. There are things you have to do after you have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. These are called the works of salvation. This is the reason after believing and confessing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Master, we don’t go to heaven after that. Indeed Jesus has saved you but there are things the soul has to be delivered from and that is your work. If you had anger when you were not ‘born again’ you have to work on that till you feel less angry when someone provokes you. All lusts of the flesh that bring about sin has to be crucified by you so you can be complete in your journey of eternal life.
Eternal life requires effort of the works of salvation. Effort means vigorous or determined attempt. Effort has to do with how hard you are trying. Because eternal life is not easy to achieve, it doesn’t take less effort to get it. Eternal life is about trying to get it, even if it doesn’t work out. Many athletes go through series of training which requires more effort. They know that there is a prize awaiting them if they put in much effort to get it. That’s what Christianity also is. The prize is the crown of life. Those who overcome can only get it. How then can we overcome if we don’t put in much effort to win every battle of eternal life?
Christianity suffering violence and violence taking it by force has to do with effort. Sometimes there are times you have to pray not because you feel like but it is because prayer is mandatory. We have to pray without ceasing so if we don’t pray every day, it is a sin. If you don’t put in effort, you can’t pray. The Holy Spirit can quicken you to pray but if you don’t put in the effort to pray He can’t pray for you. The Holy Spirit make intercession for us only when we start praying. You have your self will to feel reluctant but because of effort, you need to allow the will of God that says that ‘pray without ceasing’ to overrule yours.
The Kingdom of heaven also requires evangelism and soul winning. Without effort, you will stop chasing after people who are unwilling to give their lives to Jesus Christ. Without effort, you will stop preaching and teaching others with what you know. The Kingdom of heaven also requires giving. Without effort you will feel like the church is not using your money to do what is expected of them. You will even feel tired of giving offerings and tithing. There are people who don’t go to church just because they think that the Pastors will use their money to buy cars. The Kingdom of heaven also demands effort to fast too. Without effort, you will feel like you will have stomach ulcer.
•| Prayer Diary |•
Lift up prayers for the strength of God to keep you from all laziness of the works of your salvation so you can be active always for Godliness and ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.
Quote
Christianity is a nation of activity and not a nation of idleness.
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© 2020 David Abankwah
David Abankwah 