"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10.10
The more abundant life promised by the Lord Jesus only happens when one enters the Kingdom of God. People can even succeed, have material comfort and self-indulgence, however, life in all its fullness is only possible when one lives under the wings of the Almighty. For how is would be possible to live in fullness of life, be covered with gold and precious stones, if the interior is mortally ill?
"But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His." Romans 8.9
Even before Paul revealed that, Jesus had already said: "... unless one is born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God.” John 3:3;
Then he said: "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered..." John 15.6.
Finally, "And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire." Revelation 20.15.
Do these verses require interpretation?
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness." Romans 1.18
In His Infinite Greatness, God makes sure that no injustice go unpunished. His anger is kindled against all forms of injustice that, in other words, are the works of the flesh: "...adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5.19-21
"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5.19-21
Anyone who is willing to be different and make to a difference in this world - and to inherit the Kingdom of God - has to pay the fair price, which is to behave according to God's Kingdom. Or would it be possible to live by the darkness and still inherit the Kingdom of Light?
"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." John 12.24
Each one of us is like a grain of wheat and the ground is the Kingdom of God.
If we do not completely surrender our will of living for the kingdom of this world, we will end up alone and eternally lost.
Just like Jesus died, resurrected and multiplied, the same will happen with each one of His followers.
"Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." Matthew 5.11
Indeed, the Kingdom of God is not for the timid or cowardly.
Knowing that man is sensitive to the devil's taunts, he instigates his children to persecute the children of God through slander, defamation, unreasonable accusations and lies, with the clear objective of making them become discouraged in the faith.
Knowing that we would endure all this, the Lord Jesus guaranteed that this would be a reason for rejoicing and joy.
He says that we are blessed.
"...but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6.33
Those who have an emotional faith want to solve their personal problems first. It is the law of faith of the heart.
The kingdom of God and His Justice come second.
This is the reason why there are so many slaves, but very few children of Abraham; many believers, but very few born of the Holy Spirit.
"For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." Romans 14:17
Those who love this world do not believe in the existence of God or in His Kingdom. For that reason, they waste their lives away drinking and eating and sleeping around, just like in the days before the great flood.
On the other hand, those who follow Jesus are pleased to live by the righteousness of faith, enjoying the peace that comes from faith and the joy of the Holy Spirit.
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son." 2 John 1:9
Those who choose to ignore the discipline of the Word of God and live according to their own will, do not have God because He does not agree with worldly passions. His Divine character is orderly and disciplined.
"How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the Lord, like cedars beside the waters." Numbers 24:5-6
God's plan for His children is more wonderful than you can ever imagine. However, there are rules and disciplines you must follow in order to be in His plans. Faith, righteousness, good character, faithfulness and balance are some of the qualities you'll possess once you're included in this plan.
