Lovers of God

If we don’t let the kingdom of God make a difference in our lives then we are not producing the fruit of it, and it will be taken from us and given to others who let it change their lives for the good.

Lk 16:16 "The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John; since that time the gospel of the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it."

Mt 11:12 "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force."

To enter the kingdom of God you have to force yourself into it. Force is needed because our flesh doesn’t like to do what is needed to do to enter in.

For example, we have to repent. We have to force ourselves to repent. Nobody naturally likes to give up the pleasure of sin.

For another example, we have to forgive others. It is natural for us to keep our grudges, and it takes effort to forgive everyone.

The way is narrow and one has to force oneself through that narrow opening (figuratively speaking).

Everyone who enters in has forced himself in. No one enters in without effort.

The easy way that many preach – the one that doesn’t need forcing to enter in – is the way to destruction.

So we see that the kingdom of God must be taken by force – it is not easy to enter it because the gate is small and the way is narrow; you have to do violence (to your desires) to enter it.

Are you a man or woman of violence? Well, you better be! I don’t mean violence towards others, but violence to your fleshly appetites. Self discipline is a great virtue that not often found today.

Mk 9:47 "If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell,"

You have to make the kingdom of God your first priority – otherwise, you are not fit for it.

Lk 9:59-62 59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." 60 But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." 61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Here is the fruit that will guarantee your entrance into the kingdom of God

2 Pet 1:5-11 5 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; 11 for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.

If you are acquiring the true knowledge of Christ– that is, if you are becoming more like Christ – then you are producing fruit that God is looking for.

Jn 15:1-2 1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit."