Entering the Kingdom of God

“Entering the Kingdom of God”

[Hebrew O.T. Illustration]

     It must have been a relief for the children of Israel to hear that their prolonged, 40-year journey through the terrible wilderness would finally be coming to an end.  They were about to cross over into the Promised Land. In fact, the word in Hebrew for a Hebrew, Ivri, comes from the root I-V-R, which means to cross over.  In a spiritual sense, anyone who has crossed over into the Kingdom of God is an Ivri. 

     For that reason, perhaps, Paul said that being a Jew is a matter of having a circumcised heart more than circumcised flesh.  He wasn’t negating circumcision by any means; he was emphasizing that to cross over into the Kingdom of God, there must be an inward change. Those who worship God, must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

“But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”  (Romans 2:29)

     The wilderness experience was so challenging and defining that future rabbinic texts consider any physical or spiritual desert as an enemy to be overcome.  Our challenge, as Believers, is to walk through the times of wilderness in our lives with the King of glory experiencing the active presence of His Kingdom and be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the precious Word of the Living God.

     While entering the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-7) at the time of our salvation is a one-time event when we repent and put our faith in the Blood of Jesus, seeking the Kingdom after salvation is what Jesus’ meant when He commanded His disciples: “But seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you.”(Matthew 6:33)

     This command comes in the midst of Jesus first major sermon, the Sermon on the Mount found in the book of Matthew. The specific passage Matthew 6:19-34 is lengthy focusing upon the temporal needs of life emphasizing to His disciples that these needs must not be centered on, or holding their mind’s focus, for the Lord has promised to supply what we need both physically and spiritually!

     Our focus must be daily seeking and experiencing His presence through entering His Kingdom and thereby minister unto Him and those He sends our way during each day, for as Paul explained, agreeing with the Lord’s specific teaching: “The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” (Romans 14:17)

     Therefore, since the Lord commands us to seek His Kingdom FIRST we should not be concerned over money, food, drink, clothing etc. allowing it to consume our time and our minds for the Lord will definitely “Supply our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19) just as He promised!  

Chaplain LEWolfe www.btmi.org I-85 Exit 35 SC  McPilot  Stop in, and please pray for our ministry/revival!