Kingdom Advance

Matthew 11-13

“From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it…But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? then he can rob his house.”

Matthew 11:12; 12:28, 29

A fulfilled life with a happy, loving family is not what Christ is calling us to. While that might become the fruit of our discipleship choices, Jesus is calling all disciples to surrender their family, their education, and their vocations to him. As disciples of Christ we must daily choose to die to self and this world in our obedience and devotion to him. Those who “lose their life” for Christ’s sake, find life of another kind. This new life of loving surrender to Jesus transforms all our family relationships, vocational goals, education, and service into worship-filled obedience to Christ. We can’t both love Christ and love this world.

“Lord Jesus, I surrender all that I am, my relationships, commitments, and my life to you in surrender and worship, for your glory.”